NASHIK :
The cyber cell of district police has warned of action against those spreading rumours about COVID-19 and creating panic. Even as the State Health Department is gearing up by mobilising its manpower and infrastructure to counter the threat posed by the coronavirus, the district police have mounted surveillance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc. to keep tabs on unconfirmed reports on COVID-19 that could create panic in society, district police superintendent Dr Arti Singh said.
“We are maintaining strict vigil against coronavirus-related rumour-mongering. Before this, we had registered criminal offences against admins of social media sites like WhatsApp and Facebook, and this time also we would not spare those spreading misinformation, fake news on social media,” Dr Arti Singh warned. While city commissioner of police Vishwas Nangre Patil said that the police are considering the prohibition of mob-gatherings at places to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“It is a good indication that no coronavirus case is so far reported in Nashik district. The situation is under control and we are vigilant,” he stated seeking people’s cooperation to prevent further spread of rumours on the social media platform.
Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in India touched 114 on Monday. In Maharashtra, the total number of confirmed cases jumped to 37 after the confirmation of four new cases following confirmed positive cases from cities of Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmednagar and Aurangabad.
