Amid the coronavirus lockdown, misinformation and fake news abound social media.

A social media posts pertaining to the lockdown is being widely circulated and is increasingly becoming a cause of concern among the citizens of Madhya Pradesh.

Claim:

A post with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s picture and signature, read, ‘It’s sad to inform that the lockdown is not being followed fairly by the public, hence from April 1, 2020, onward, the government will lock all the houses and provide the public grains, vegetables and medicines every morning and evening. Even after this if anybody is spotted outside the house will be shot down immediately.’ (Translated from Hindi)

Fact-Check:

@JansamparkMP which is the official Twitter handle of Department of Public Relations, Government of Madhya Pradesh took cognisance of the misinformation and tweeted clarification on the order.

#COVID19 संक्रमण से उत्पन्न संकट के हालात में सोशल मीडिया पर झूठी खबर और अफवाह फैलाकर लोगों में तनाव बढ़ाने की कोशिश की जा रही है। आप ऐसी अफवाहों से बचें। तथ्यपूर्ण और वास्तविक सूचना @JansamparkMP और वेरिफाइड शासकीय सोशल मीडिया अकाउंट से ही प्राप्त करें।#IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/eMZes6kdo6

— Jansampark MP (@JansamparkMP) March 28, 2020

The tweet said that during the COVID-19 crisis, fake and baseless rumours were being spread on social media to create panic and tension among the public. People should ignore such posts. They can get factual information. from the Jansampark (Public Relations)and the verified government social media account.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan retweeted the information and warned of not falling for such fake social media posts.

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