Cops to keep tab on ‘fake messages’ on social media

Charminar : With the objective of containing anti-social elements during the late night hours and to control possible spreading of rumours leading to ‘mob lynching’, the South Zone police conducted cordon and search operation in Mir Chowk and Rein Bazar areas on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

The operation which was mostly confined in the area of Ganga Nagar Nala and neighbouring localities was conducted with the active participation of 200 policemen and was led by DCP South Zone, V Satyanarayana. One of the important reasons considered by police for the operation is regular ‘threatening’ cases by locals about a gang carrying daggers. This operation also follows the latest case of ‘mob lynching’ of city based techie in Bidar over the rumours being spread through social media that ‘child lifters were on prowl’.

The police officials decided to conduct the operation in the area. “There were four to five reported stabbings recently in the area of Ganga nagar and the surroundings where some anti-social elements were threatening people. While on the other hand, the unwanted postings in social media are continuing spreading rumours like the one which prompted mob lynching in Chandrayangutta during Ramzan,” said DCP.

The official asked the people to be wary of the messages being received by them on social media platforms, as forwarding them without any verification could lead to incidents like mob-lynchings in Chandrayangutta and the latest one like Bidar incident. He said that even though in both cases the culprits were caught, but social media users should not support others to spread ‘false or fake messages’. He noted that ‘unnecessary messages’ were leading to incidents like Chandrayangutta and Bidar.

During the entire operation, 15 phones from suspects were seized, while 30 suspects were taken into custody. Besides this 11 rowdy-sheeters and 70 vehicles (without proper papers) were also taken into custody. The police personnel also seized 5 daggers (jambiya), which were allegedly being used for threatening people. “There were instances and complaints, hence we jumped into action. If anyone hurts religious sentiments of others by posting unnecessary messages with the intention to increase enmity between groups action will be taken. Even if some official or public representative (MLA) is involve action will be launched and none will be spared,” he added.