Fake News: Jharkhand schools, colleges closed until January 1 amid Omicron scare

A fake screenshot of a tweet under the name of Chief Minister Hemant Soren's official Twitter has gone viral on the internet announcing lockdown in Jharkhand amid Omicron scare. 

A screenshot of a fake tweet in the name of Chief Minister Hemant Soren's official Twitter handle has gone viral on the internet capturing the eyes of masses on various social media platforms. The edited tweet forced the authority to give clarification and commence an investigation against the same.

Taking action against the fake news, the Jharkhand government has asked the police to lodge a case after the fake screenshot of Chief Minister Hemant Soren's official Twitter handle. According to the government, the purported tweet which has only been shared as a screenshot states that in view of the Omicron variant spread, the state has decided to impose lockdown and all schools, colleges, institutes and religious places would remain shut from December 6 to January 1.

In response to the screenshot situation, the Chief Minister's Office tweeted that the government has not taken any decision regarding a lockdown yet. It tweeted, "This screenshot of Hon'ble CM @HemantSorenJMM's Twitter account in circulation is a fake post. It is REITERATED that no such decision on Covid-19 lockdown has been taken by the state government.

The Twitter handle further stated, "Jharkhand police is instructed to file FIR, identify the miscreants & take action.”

While the miscreant is yet to be identified and nabbed by the police, according to The Telegraph, a source in the police department said that person responsible for this misadventure could be a student unwilling to appear for exams or a person seeking a thrill.

Meanwhile, with the increase in the number of Omicron variant cases, states across the country are taking decision against the reopening of schools and other educational institutions. So far, India has reported a total of 21 cases of Omicron.

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