Aizawl, April 28 Mizoram Police have arrested an 18-year-old youth for circulating a fake office circular on social media that falsely declared a public holiday on April 27 due to heavy rainfall in the state, officials said on Tuesday.
According to a senior police official, a complaint was received on April 27 at the Cyber Crime Police Station from the Under Secretary of the General Administration Department of the Government of Mizoram.
The complaint alleged that a fabricated office circular was being widely circulated on social media, misleadingly announcing a public holiday due to heavy rainfall.
The forged document was fraudulently presented as an official notification issued by the General Administration Department.
It was purportedly approved by Irene Zohlimpui Chongthu, Additional Secretary, General Administration Department, and bore a forged digital signature of Ch. Lalnunkima, Deputy Secretary, General Administration Department.
The circulation of the fake document caused considerable confusion and disruption among the public.
Following the complaint, the Cyber Crime Police Station promptly registered a case on April 27 under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and initiated an investigation.
Through sustained, professional investigative efforts, Mizoram Police traced the origin of the fake social media post within 24 hours.
On Tuesday, the accused, identified as Lalramhlua (18), a resident of Upper Republic Veng in Aizawl, was apprehended and taken into custody for further legal action.
In an official statement, Mizoram Police issued a stern warning that the creation, circulation, or amplification of fake news, forged government documents, or misleading content on social media constitutes a serious criminal offence and will invite strict legal consequences.
The statement further emphasised that stringent action will be taken against individuals found engaging in such unlawful activities.
Meanwhile, a Crime Review Meeting was held at the Director General of Police Conference Hall at the Police Headquarters in Aizawl.
The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Police, Mizoram, Sharad Agarwal, and attended by Deputy Inspector Generals and Superintendents of Police from all 11 districts, along with other senior officers from the police headquarters.
--IANS
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