Minister seeks strict action against coronavirus rumours

Misinformation was spread saying that the virus was transmitted through chicken and meat, which could possibly hurt the poultry industry

Minister of Animal Husbandry Sunil Kedar has rapped the police department for not acting swiftly on the complaint filed by his department against rumours that coronavirus is transmitted through chicken and meat. Kedar told FPJ, ''The department took an initiative to lodge a complaint with the cyber crime branch after it received representations against rumours being spread that coronavirus is transmitted through chicken and meat. Immediate action was expected from the police department, as such rumours adversely impact the economy of the poultry industry with states suffering possible financial loss.''

However, Kedar said the cyber crime branch did not go deep into the complaint, especially when it was suspected that the rumours were being spread with criminal intention. The department had argued that the matter needed to be investigated and legal action be taken.

Kedar informed that he met the concerned police officers from the cyber crime branch and asked them to carry out extensive probe.

The department of animal husbandry officer said it has received an action taken report from the cyber crime branch, saying that wrong Whatsapp messages were being forwarded from the mobile number mentioned in the complaint. ''The user of that mobile number has been cautioned about the legal consequences and asked further to not be involved in such activities,'' the cyber crime officer said in the action taken report.