Govt had barred troops from posting videos, photos online
PROBE BSF submits 2nd report, says the ‘daal’ in clip uncanned from tinned food ration
NEW DELHI: The government had barred security personnel from posting details of service and operational matters on social media, barely a few weeks before a BSF jawan’s Facebook videos of “poor food” served in a Jammu and Kashmir camp went viral.
Sources said the jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav could face disciplinary action in light of the circular sent out by the home ministry to the directors general of all central armed police forces (CAPFs) including the BSF, CRPF and Assam Rifles on November 28.
The communiqué said sharing videos and pictures without permission will invite action against personnel under the service rules as it violates the ministry’s national information security policy. HT has a copy of the document. “The popularity of social media creates opportunities, challenges and risks,” said the confidential note on “guidelines for upload of material on social media”.
The ministry said there had been instances in the past of personnel using their mobiles or cameras to capture operational details or sensitive material and uploading them on social media.
“CAPFs are directed that instructions may be issued to ensure no photos, videos, text, information of operations, service matters are uploaded on social media or passed on to the print or electronic media without the due approval of the concerned DG or this ministry,” the ministry’s letter said.
Meanwhile, The BSF on Wednesday submitted a second report to the ministry, stating the ‘daal’ in the jawan’s video was uncanned from tinned food ration and the ‘parantha’ was cooked in the unit mess as per procedures.
‘DIETICIANS TO CHECK QUALITY OF FOOD’
The Centre has sent teams of dieticians to border posts to ascertain the quality of food being served to security personnel, Union minister of state Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday.
“Ascertaining the quality of food served to jawans is our top priority,” Rijiju said.
(With inputs from Rahul Karmakar
in Guwahati and agencies)