The Mangalore city police have booked a total of 30 cases against inflammatory, fake and threatening social media posts in a week that might disturb peace in society by creating rift among communities. In a social media advisory, Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal said that the police have taken serious note of the sharp rise in communal, false, misleading, and threatening messages being shared on social media platforms, including Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram. There was a misuse of the social media platforms to create disharmony among communities.
A dedicated special team, under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cyber Economic and Narcotic Crime police station, is investigating these cases. The team is working with social media companies and national agencies and identifying fake profiles and foreign-registered accounts, which are being used to spread malicious content. Offenders are being traced and identified, regardless of where the accounts are created, he said.
The commissioner has asked the youth to make responsible use of social media and not promote hatred, falsehood and fear. The police are booking offenders for offences punishable under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 192 (inciting riots or violence) 351 (1) (threatening individuals) 351(1)(a) (hate speech via words or online content), 353 (1), and 353 (2) (spreading false information or fake news) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
