Social media ‘offenders’ on police radar ahead of verdict
LUCKNOW: Even as the Ayodhya administration on Tuesday sought to dispel rumours on social media about a ban on internet services and restrictions on movement of people in the temple town, senior state police officials said over 8,000 people booked in 4,500 cases related to inflammatory and objectionable posts on social media in last five years are on the police’s radar in view of the Ayodhya title suit verdict likely before November 17.
The state police officials said a list of all such people has been prepared and their verification is being done to ensure that they do not get involved in similar activities again.
“Stern action will be taken against them if they commit the same offence again,” IG (law and order) Praveen Kumar said. Besides, recommendation for cancellation of their bail will be sent to competent courts, Kumar said. He said the state police have appealed to people, especially youngsters, to remain alert about objectionable/inflammatory content and even responding to it.
He said the National Security Act (NSA) could also be imposed against people, if their act leads to any trouble or violence.
“The state police social media cell, state intelligence unit and a special team of 40 people are keeping a watch on social media trends and analysing them round the clock,” he emphasised.
‘NO BAN IN AYODHYA’
Scotching all rumours on social media about ban on internet services and restrictions on movement of people in Ayodhya, district magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha warned action under NSA against those responsible for spreading them.
In the last 48 hours, rumours had been rife in Ayodhya through all social media platforms, including WhatsApp, that a ban had been put in place on internet services and that there were restrictions on movement of people in the temple town.
Some messages talked about closure of schools in view of the much-awaited Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid title dispute. They claimed that schools will be closed after the arrival of security forces in the town as they will be utilized for their stay. “Schools will not be closed even after the arrival of security forces,” Jha clarified.
Ashish Tewari, senior superintendent of police of Ayodhya, also clarified that internet services will not be banned in Ayodhya.
Jha has convened a meeting with food and civil supplies department in Ayodhya to make sure that there was no hoarding of essential food items by traders to create artificial scarcity.