Chandigarh, August 31
Taking strong exception to deceptive audio-videos circulating in social media about the coronavirus, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu today directed the Civil Surgeons of the state to take strict actions against the rumor mongers.
Divulging further, Mr. Sidhu said that Punjab DGP Mr. Dinkar Gupta has also issued instructions to district police officers to take prompt action against culprits, on which the cyber wing of the police has started investigation to trace the perpetrators. He told that police have registered a case against Garish Bhatt R/o Ranjit Nagar in Tripari Police Station, Patiala under Section 188 of the IPC and Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act. “The accused had uploaded a forged video on Instagram about the Corona pandemic. Police have arrested him and impound his phone. Similarly, Sarabjot Singh Sonu R/o Gobind Nagar, was arrested and a case has been registered against him in Civil Lines Police Station, Patiala. He had posted a video on Facebook spreading rumors about COVID-19 sampling process in villages and spreading misconceptions about teams of health department”, he added.
Mr. Sidhu said that the entire world including India and Punjab is battling against the curse of COVID-19 pandemic and we are going through perilous times. “Health systems of world powers like the USA, have been exposed as most vulnerable after this pandemic. On the other hand, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has been taking strong and bold steps to contain the spread of the virus”, he said adding that the duties of all the departments have been fixed but in spite of this, the spread of corona is on the rise and our tireless employees are also being affected by this deadly disease and many have lost their lives in line of their duty.
He said that so far about 836 employees of the health department have been affected by Corona while according to a report 2 employees have died. About 1,650 police personnel have been affected and 13 have died.
Appealing people not to fall prey to the rumors, the Cabinet Minister said that if any malefactor is found misleading the people about Corona or claiming to make Corona medicine then people should immediately inform the health or police department so that strict action can be taken against perpetrators.
Clearing the air regarding the development of the vaccine, he exhorted that no vaccine has been developed yet and the only option left behind for us to follow the health protocols in letter and spirit till the vaccine is not developed.
