Strict action will be taken against people circulating malicious information on social media: Odisha DGP

Bhubaneswar, Apr 4 () The Odisha police on Saturdaysaid that strict action will be taken against all thoseindulged in circulating malicious information on social mediaas such posts may create discord among communities.

The warning was issued by the state's DGP Abhay whilespeaking at a media briefing here.

The chief minister has asked me to take strict actionagainst such anti-social elements as per the law. If you comeacross such forwarded messages on any social platform, callthe helplines of police and health department. Do not forwardsuch messages, the DGP said.

It has also been noticed that some unverifiedinformation related to coronavirus is being shared on socialmedia platforms such as Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, hesaid.

"Law will come down heavily on such persons," he said.

Meanwhile, Odisha governments Information and PublicRelations department tweeted, As per the guidelines, noperson, institution, media will use any print, electronic,social media for information regarding #COVID 19 withoutproper permission of DMET, DPH, DHS, collector or medicalsuperintendent.

The governments COVID spokesperson Subroto Bagchialso said people using social media should be cautious aboutwhat they post.

If they misuse the platform, especially, on anymatter related to coronavirus, it wont take us long to tracetheir digital footprints and take action against them, Bagchisaid.

The DGP also said that the 24-hour of the 48-hourshutdown in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Bhadrak has been asuccess.

I thank the police and other personnel for theirtireless efforts, he said.

More than 50 people in Bhubaneswar have been placedunder compulsory quarantine for venturing out of their homeswithout any valid reason, the DGP said.

As on today, over 2,700 cases have been registeredfor lockdown and shutdown violations. As many as 2,400 peoplewere arrested and 400 vehicles seized, he said.

The DGP said from April 3 morning to April 4 morning,a total of 245 cases have been registered by the police forviolations of different regulations and guidelines related toCOVID-19. AAMSBN SBN