79 detained for spreading rumour over COVID-19 since March

The law enforcement agencies arrested 79 people since March for spreading rumour and disinformation on social media, UNB quotes the Centre for Genocide Studies to say.

But the nationwide number of rumour-related arrests associated with COVID-19 decreased to zero in early May.

The centre says so far 14 incidents have been reported in a week (26 April-May) associated with stigma over COVID-19. Bangladesh Peace Observatory (BPO) team of the Centre said stigmatising decreased by 33.33 percent than the previous week.

But, incidents in which medical professionals or their family members are harassed or forcefully evicted because of social stigma associated with COVID-19 sharply increased from April 26 to May 2, it said.

The local government, rural development and co-operatives ministry has suspended 42 public representatives (17 UP chairmen, 23 UP members, a district council member, and a municipal councillor) for irregularities in distribution of relief amidst coronavirus pandemic.

At least 650 (36.40 per cent drop than last week) were detained or fined or penalised and 32 arrested all over Bangladesh from 26 April to 2 May.