Police warn of tough action for circulating rumours

  • | Saturday | 7th July, 2018

It has to be kept in mind that certain posts that pertain to incidents that have taken place in other cities, states or even countries can be used by mischief-mongers to create tension in another region altogether,” SP (city) Akash Tomar told TOI. GHAZIABAD: Police on Friday sent out a warning warned against rumour-mongering, saying they would make arrests and use the National Security Act if necessary to contain the spread of falsehoods and fake news through social media and messaging apps.The decision is a reaction to child-lifting rumours that have swept through India and led to mob murders of more than two dozen people, the latest at Rainpada in Maharashtra’s Dhule district last week where five people were lynched by a mob that was convinced they were child kidnappers.In a circular put out on Friday, police said provisions of the NSA could be invoked in serious cases against those found circulating fake messages and rumours on WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms with an intent to breach peace, and cases would be filed under sections 505A (spreading rumours with intent to cause alarm, mutiny or enmity between certain sections of the society), 153A (promoting enmity), 295A and 298 (acts intended to outrage religious feelings).According to the circular, social media misuse can be reported to the SP (city) on 9643322901, SP (rural) on 9643322902 and SP (crime) on 9643322905.“Group administrators of various WhatsApp groups have been asked to inform police immediately about any sensitive post aimed at disturbing peace.

GHAZIABAD: Police on Friday sent out a warning warned against rumour-mongering, saying they would make arrests and use the National Security Act if necessary to contain the spread of falsehoods and fake news through social media and messaging apps.The decision is a reaction to child-lifting rumours that have swept through India and led to mob murders of more than two dozen people, the latest at Rainpada in Maharashtra’s Dhule district last week where five people were lynched by a mob that was convinced they were child kidnappers.In a circular put out on Friday, police said provisions of the NSA could be invoked in serious cases against those found circulating fake messages and rumours on WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms with an intent to breach peace, and cases would be filed under sections 505A (spreading rumours with intent to cause alarm, mutiny or enmity between certain sections of the society), 153A (promoting enmity), 295A and 298 (acts intended to outrage religious feelings).According to the circular, social media misuse can be reported to the SP (city) on 9643322901, SP (rural) on 9643322902 and SP (crime) on 9643322905.“Group administrators of various WhatsApp groups have been asked to inform police immediately about any sensitive post aimed at disturbing peace. It has to be kept in mind that certain posts that pertain to incidents that have taken place in other cities, states or even countries can be used by mischief-mongers to create tension in another region altogether,” SP (city) Akash Tomar told TOI.

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