Dispur has formed a committee to counter fake news circulating on social media and floated a number to report it.

The police have registered seven cases and arrested five persons so far, Assam police chief public relations officer Rajib Saikia said.

The committee will monitor social media and report to the cyber crime branch. It comprises Saikia, director of information and public relations Anupam Choudhury, director of family welfare Munundra Ngate, additional director of information and public relations Pradeep Brahma and Assam State Disaster Management Authority project manager Mukutram Deka. Additional director-general of police (law and order) G.P. Singh said people can report fake news, rumours and inappropriate posts that might infringe law on +9191326-99735 and osm.specialbranch@assampolice.gov.in.

Arrest: A person was arrested in Cachar district on Friday night for posting objectionable matter on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on facebook. Superintendent of police Manabendra Debroy said Manna Barbhuiya of Meherpur has been sent to custody.

Additional reporting by Satananda Bhattacharjee in Hailakandi