Five taken to police custody for 'spreading coronavirus rumour'

Police on Thursday night detained five people from different areas of the capital on allegation of spreading rumour through social media sites and news portals over the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Bangladesh.

The five were detained from Arambagh, Maghbazar and Ramna areas for spreading rumour that coronavirus has reached Bangladesh and two people have already died of this, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s cyber security and crime division additional deputy commissioner Nazmul Islam told Prothom Alo.

They will be released after counselling, he added.

Nazmul Islam also said police did not receive any credible information about anyone’s infection in coronavirus or death of it in Dhaka. Some people are spreading the false propaganda.

The DMP deputy commissioner further said that the police would take action under digital security act for disseminating rumour about coronavirus infection in the country and shattering people’s peace of mind.