West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday warned people against posting or sharing fake information on the COVID-19 pandemic, saying strong action will be taken against those found guilty.
Addressing a press meet at state secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee said a fake post claiming that a doctor treating coronavirus suspects had fallen ill was doing the rounds on social media and investigating agencies are trying to track the source of this "misinformation".
"This is totally false. Please don't play with fire. Our detective department, CID are working round the clock to track those behind such posts. We will take strong action after tracking them down," Banerjee said.
The chief minister also contended that the ones posting fake news on social media are fuelling fear and panic "at this hour of crisis".
"Please refrain from spreading rumours. Those found guilty will be penalised," she said.
Asking police to be more humane while enforcing the lockdown, Banerjee said about seven officers have been stripped of duties and asked to go to police lines for their "high-handedness".
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"While I appreciate policemen who are working tirelessly to prevent mass gatherings, I have come to know of about 10-12 cases where people out to buy essentials, health service workers and hawkers were unnecessarily harassed. This is not acceptable," the CM noted.
Banerjee said all international flights to Kolkata will continue to remain suspended till April 14.
She thanked religious leaders in the state for taking steps to avert public gatherings at places of worship and said, "We will hold a meeting on March 31 to review the situation".
All essential services will be available during the lockdown - imposed by the government to contain the spread of the disease - and marketplaces and grocery shops will remain open to cater to everyday needs, she asserted.
"Our task force is meeting three to four times a day to monitor the situation," she said.
Iterating that she has written to her counterparts in 18 states requesting them to ensure that workers from Bengal stuck there due to the lockdown be looked after, she said people from other states can approach her government if they face inconvenience.
"We will address their problems," the CM said.
Banerjee asked officials to facilitate the opening of 27 night shelters for the homeless in the city.
The CM, who on Wednesday said those involved in home-delivery business should not be stopped by police, added that "services have resumed...will pick up pace soon".
Asked about the unavailability of bread in grocery stores, she said, "We want bakeries to open, but how can you expect the workers to be on the job, given the present circumstances. If bread is unavailable, people will have to find an alternative."