No.709/2019-2020

Educational institutions across the country have been closed due to the outbreak of COVID-19, leaving many Mizo students in a state of apprehension. While the State Government is taking all possible measures for the safety of the people, unfortunately on 17.03.2020, a Whatsapp post in Mizo language, purportedly originating from the Chief Secretary of Mizoram, has been circulated which states that all Mizos presently residing outside the state must return to Mizoram by 27.03.2020 failing which they will be declared as non-Mizo and not allowed to enter Mizoram. This Whatsapp message has led to panic and distress among Mizo students outside the state and Mizoram Police immediately proceeded with investigation into the source and veracity of the post.

The originator of the Whatsapp message has been identified as a 19 year old resident of Siaha currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in St. Dominic College, Shillong and it is confirmed that the message/post was completely fabricated by him and is absolutely false. The originator had first posted the message in a Whatsapp group titled "sent pic here" and was it forwarded from this group by another student of St. Dominic College, Shillong to one student in Chennai who in turn forwarded it to other Whatsapp groups from where it shortly became viral causing alarm among Mizo students presently residing outside Mizoram and their family members.

In this connection, Mizoram Police has registered criminal case Aizawl PS C/No. 179.2020 Dt. 18.03.2020 u/s 505 (l)(b) IPC r/w 66D IT Act 2000 for personation and circulation of rumour causing fear and alarm to the public. The persons involved in the dissemination of this false information have been identified and steps are being taken for their arrest as they are presently residing outside the state.

In this critical juncture, Mizoram Police once again appeals to the public to refrain from posting/spreading unreliable information that could cause widespread fear and panic among the people.