KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): Kohima Police has issued a public advisory to all social media users, content creators, and media outlets against the spread of misinformation regarding the ongoing investigation into the October 24 Kohima murder case.
In a statement, Kohima Police said that there has been an “unacceptable proliferation of fake news and unverified claims circulating on various social media platforms.” Police cautioned that “the creation, dissemination, and amplification of unverified, speculative, or fabricated information related to this case is a severe offense.” Such actions, it stated, are in violation of national laws including the Information Technology Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 pertaining to defamation, public mischief, spreading hatred, and obstructing a lawful investigation.
“Legal consequences for violations will be severe and can include immediate arrest, criminal prosecution and imprisonment,” the statement warned.
The public has been cautioned not to share unverified content, spread baseless theories about the motives, suspects, or circumstances of the murder, name or defame individuals not officially identified by investigating authorities, or incite violence or communal hatred by linking the crime to any specific community or ethnicity without official evidence.
Police appealed to citizens to “verify before you share,” and to check official handles before forwarding any information. It also urged the public to report any fake news or malicious posts, and to respect the privacy and dignity of the victim’s family.
Kohima Police further asserted that it “will not allow the digital space to become a breeding ground for misinformation around a serious criminal investigation.”
