Fake message: 10 more arrested

Kozhikode: The police nabbed 10 more for spreading fake messages regarding Nipah Virus outbreak. In total, 17 people are now under arrest.

Nadakkavu police arrested 10 people in the case registered against forging fake message in the name of district medical officer.

It is alleged that the arrested people spread fake messages that meat products should be avoided as Nipah virus may be infected via chicken meat.

However, preliminary investigation has proved that the arrested people were not behind forging the original message. The seal stamped in the message is of district sub magistrate of Churchura of Hugli in West Bengal. It is assumed that the seal was forged there.

Nadakkavu CI, TK Ashraf said that investigation is going on to find out who forged the message. Circulation of the message started on May 27. Mohammed Haneefa of Nadakkavu was arrested earlier in the same case.

However, eight persons who were arrested on the charges of spreading the fake messages have been granted bail.

The cases on which they were charged wasunder section 120(O) of the Kerala Police Act. In the wake of circulation of several messages purportedly under health authorities and doctors, the police have been asked to step up their social media surveillance and take stringent action.

Therefore, the police have been chasing such messages including voice and video, to get to the source.