Srinagar – Police on Friday arrested a shopkeeper from north Kashmir who had claimed to have found cure of the deadly coronavirus infection.
Mohammad Hussain Kumar, a shopkeeper was rounded up by police from Tangmarg market after his audio clip claiming cure for Covid-19 went viral on social media, a police spokesperson said.
“On the afternoon of March 20, Tangmarg Police was alerted to an audio clip which was going viral on various social media platforms. The person in the audio clip claimed to have found a cure for treating coronavirus and requested for his message to be made viral so that it can reach the masses,” he said.
The clip, he said generated a stir and people were frantically enquiring about the same and were planning to visit his native village which would have resulted in chaos and confusion.
Acting on a tip-off, police swung into action and arrested the accused.
“Appropriate legal action has been initiated against the person,” the police spokesperson said.
“General public is requested to take advice only and only from qualified medical practitioners and not to fall for quacks looking to make a quick buck and profit from the pandemic.” He added.
Doda Man Booked Over Social Media Post On Covid-19 Death
Police also booked a man in Doda for allegedly spreading fake news on social media over the death of a coronavirus patient.
Claiming to be an RTI activist, the accused was booked by police under section 188 of IPC for posting a report of a person dying due to Coronavirus at Jammu Hospital on Whatsapp and Facebook.
District Development Commissioner (DDC), Dr. Sagar D. Doifode said that forwarding of unconfirmed news and rumors on social media was a punishable offence.
“An FIR against the accused has been registered,” he said, adding “I urge the public that any news pertaining to the deaths due to coronavirus or details of infected persons should not be forwarded as they are from unconfirmed sources.”
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