Srinagar: District magistrate Doda Dr Sagar D Doifode has issued on order on Monday which said that no whatsapp group administrator or any person is allowed to upload any false information or unconfirmed fabricated news or rumour with regards to conformation of positive Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in district Doda unless and until confirmation from the district administration or any higher authority.
According to the wire service the order is in “view of a speedy remedy for proper maintenance of law and order and prevention of any disturbance to public tranquility in the district, District Magistrate Doda.”
“Violation by any whatsapp administrator or any person shall be liable for action under Indian Penal Code in case any untoward incident/law & order situation disturbance to public tranquility arises due to uploading/ spreading of any false unconfirmed, fabricated news with regard to confirmation of positive Novel Coronavirus,” the order said.
The order further said the rumours are being flashed through social media platforms like whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram for confirmation of positive Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in District Doda, as a result “general masses in the area may panic which may lead to law and order problems.”
“Whereas it is imperative to prevent the circulation of such false/ unconfirmed news/information and rumours through WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms including Facebook etc,” the order said.
The order said that masks and sanitizers are essential items to combat the Novel Coronavirus and all the proprietors of medical shops as well as wholesalers of medical agencies/ stockists of such items functioning in District Doda shall ensure that there should be no hoarding or no extra charging of these items in case of any violation by any retailer/ wholesaler/ stockiest will be liable for imprisonment and all the (Station House Officers) SHOs’ in district Doda are directed to take strict action against such violators under the relevant section of law—(KNO)
Coronavirus Scare: Spreading false information will invite trouble for WhatsApp group Admins
