AGARTALA / IMPHAL, April 3 (TIWN): National medias from Indian Express to others, Northeast medias have slammed Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb for creating tension in the region with false, unverified data on COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, Chief Minister Biplab Deb was visiting the Tripura’s biggest Govt hospital in Agartala GB hospital when interacting with media, he said, in Northeast state Manipur total 19 positive cases were found and thus Tripura has to be extra careful. Indian Express, one of the most circulated print version media, has asked Deb to verify facts before “Faux Pass”. India Express quoted, “Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has got it wrong again. His latest faux pas pertains to his arithmetic. The CM said Tripura had sealed its border as 16 COVID-19 positive cases were recorded in Assam’s Karimganj and 19 in Manipur”.

Addressing media, CM Biplab Deb said, “In our neighbouring Karimganj, total 16 cases have been found positive and total 19 cases were recorded in Manipur and that’s why we have sealed the borders”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpKKgL7OE9I&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2HSSg0BYlySkk6uYw6eQznni9OYCktzr1ysAw1E0KtRE6KS-0ZI11N8_0 Click TIWN YouTube links to see Biplab Deb said, total 19 positive cases found in Manipur whereas actually the numbers are still 2 only.

This video massively spread in social media and also created tension.

Biplab Deb’s statement came when Home Dept has ordered to arrest anyone related with spreading Fake data on COVID-19.

Before this, Chief Minister on March 27 asked people to use Gamocha instead of mask, which equally created controversy. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb has appealed to the masses to carry one Jal-Gamcha, if a person does not have mask amid massive Corona-Virus outbreak globally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22mz6bIqSDw Tripura CM asked people to use “Jol Gamcha”.

Tripura Chief Minister’s irresponsible statement, spreading FAKE information on Corona Virus infection numbers in Manipur amounts to criminal act, arrests as per latest directives from Home Department. 

If Law applies to all equally, then Biplab Deb must be arrested for spreading false information. 

Indian Express News :

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Indian Express news link 

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/apr/03/tripura-cm-biplab-kumar-deb-makes-another-faux-pas-cites-wrong-covid-19-figures-2125239.html

The Congress in Manipur was quick to disapprove of his statement. The party advised him to be careful with his numbers.

In a tweet to him, Manipur Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei wrote: “Dear Tripura CM @BjpBiplab, I advise you to be cautious while quoting numbers for other states. Such a statement from you, as the CM, may create chaos and panic to the people of India with regard to Manipur. Manipur has only 2 +ve cases, not 19 #nCoV2019 as you claim.”

Over the past two years since he donned the CM’s mantle, Deb stoked many a controversy.

In 2018, he set tongues wagging by claiming that internet and satellite existed since the time of Mahabharata and that ducks raise the level of oxygen in water bodies when they swim. He had also said that only civil engineers should sit for civil services exams as they know how to build the society. He had described beauty pageants as a “farce” stating that they are market-driven and not based on the beauty of participants.