Guwahati, Oct 5 (IANS) Assam Police have initiated action against several individuals allegedly involved in circulating a fake and morphed image of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said on Monday.
The CMO warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in creating, sharing or amplifying fabricated content.
According to the CMO, the police have initiated the necessary action against individuals allegedly involved in circulating the manipulated image of the Chief Minister on social media.
“Such deliberate attempts to spread fabricated content and mislead the public will not be tolerated,” the CMO said.
It added that those responsible for creating, sharing or amplifying such fake campaigns would face strict action under the law.
The development comes amid a controversy over an allegedly morphed photograph of Himanta Biswa Sarma that was circulated on social media.
Meanwhile, Assam Police have detained a Congress leader in connection with the alleged circulation of the image.
A senior police official said Queen Hazarika, identified as the Vice-President of the Goalpara District Congress social media cell, was detained in connection with the alleged sharing of the morphed photograph.
The image circulating on social media purportedly showed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alongside another woman.
Police have alleged that the photograph was manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) and subsequently circulated online.
The Congress leader was reportedly taken into custody after being accused of sharing the allegedly fabricated photograph on social media.
The action has triggered a fresh political controversy in Assam, with authorities stating that the use of manipulated or AI-generated content to target public figures could invite legal consequences.
The Chief Minister’s Office said the police action was aimed at preventing the deliberate circulation of fabricated material and attempts to mislead the public.
With AI-generated and digitally manipulated photographs increasingly being used in political campaigns and social media exchanges, the Assam government has stressed that such content cannot be circulated with impunity.
Police are expected to examine the origin of the photograph, the manner in which it was created or altered, and the social media accounts through which it was circulated.
Further details regarding the police action and the investigation are awaited.
–IANS
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