Gangsters buzzing on FB, cops want accounts blocked

ADGP says directions issued to police in all districts to prepare a list of accounts they want blocked and write to the USbased company

PATIALA : To stop state’s dreaded gangsters from using the social media, especially, Facebook as a platform to boast about their activities and create an ‘aura of glamour’ around them, the police will write to the US-basedcompanytoblocksuch accounts.

“Patiala police has been directed to identify such accounts of gangsters they want blocked, compile a list and write to Facebook, requesting that these accounts be blocked. Police in all districts will follow this drill, starting from Patiala today,” said additional director general of police (law and order) Rohit Chaudhary, who was in town to interact with college students as part of a department’s drive to connect with the youth.

He added the police will also attach a list of the gangsters’ criminal records to get the accounts registered on names of gangsters, whether in jail, or on the prowl, to deactivated.

“Social media sites came in handy for gangsters to promote a criminal mindset among the youth in the state, which is a harmful trend. This gives them publicity,” added Chaudhary.

In recent times, almost all

gangsters in the state have used Facebook as it acts an an attraction for the youngsters.

Gangsters also often use these accounts to give statements and announcements, even from inside jails, sources with the police admit.

Without refusing to go into the details of any previous police requests, Chaudhary added, “I don’t know the exact details about the past. Now the districts would individually take it up with Facebook as controlling their activities on social media

has become important. The medium is being used to incite gangwars as these incidents had increased.”

‘PUNJABI SONGS SHOULDNOTPROMOTE HOOLIGANISM’

Showing concern over Punjabi songs promoting drugs, violence, obscenity and hooliganism, Chaudhary said Punjabi singers and lyricists will be approached. The police will appeal to them to avoid writing and singing such content.

“Most new Punjabi songs promotegangstersandarmsculture and also extol breaking law and order. Such songs are never a part of Punjabi culture and need to be shunned,” he said.

Chaudhary, who was accompanied by senior officials of district police, heard grievances of common public, which raised issues including menace of stray animals on city roads, hooliganism by bullet motorcycle riders and underage driving. He was also apprised of accidents due to bad condition of roads.