Corona: Sharing false information or creating panic in social media liable for punishment

March 21: A wave of misinformation and rumour on COVID-19 floods phones, forcing the government to issue an advisory. From offering unverified home remedies to tackle the virus, to floating fake advisories asking people to avoid foods such as ice cream and chicken, and sharing conspiracy theories, Indians’ phones are being flooded with misinformation.

However, it was seen that many false and misinformation are being shared in various social media platforms like, Facebook, Whatsapp etc. thereby creating panic among the people on coronavirus. It is in this connection that the government has stated that those who are spreading false information on social media and creating panic on coronavirus are liable for punishment under the National Disaster Management Act .

According to Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, whoever makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, shall on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine.

As mandated by the Disaster Management Act 2005,the Government of Assam has adopted the Act with notification in the Official Gazzete in the month of December 2006. The State Government has established the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).The Secretariat of the ASDMA has become functional since 2009. Further the State has also framed its Disaster Management Policy and Disaster Management Rules for providing the basic framework for the Disaster Management operations in the State.

The number of novel coronavirus cases in the country rose to 110 on Sunday, with Maharashtra reporting the highest followed by Kerala, while over 450 stranded Indians were flown back from Italy and Iran, the two worst-affected countries after China, and quarantined. Amidst corona threat, the union government and state governments have taken various preventive measures.