Meerut: In the wake of several instances of mob lynching based on WhatsApp rumours recently, the state police department is now gearing up to fight the menace of rumour mongering on social media. UP DGP OP Singh on Thursday announced the digital volunteer scheme under which social media influencers and eminent people will be made part of WhatsApp groups at each of the 1,469 police stations in the state.“Each police station in the state will shortlist 250 people from various walks of life who would be part of the WhatsApp group linked to the district headquarters. These groups will be centrally monitored from the DGP’s office in Lucknow,” the top cop said.Those willing to work as digital volunteers can apply online on UP Police’s official website (www. uppolice.gov.in). A panel led by SSP/SP in each district would interview and shortlist these candidates.Officials said that these volunteers will work as the department’s third eye in social media space and on the ground. They will be expected to apprise the local cops about suspects, rumours, criminal elements, drug menace and sale of illicit liquor, among a host of other notorious activities in their respective areas/ region.In another initiative to curb fake news and online hate mongering, UP Police had earlier come with a separate twitter handle @UPPViralcheck to update online users on inflammatory videos and posts doing rounds on social media.The plan to appoint digital volunteers has been on the anvil. Earlier, it had failed to take off despite several similar announcements made by the department in the aftermath of every major communal incident in the state in past.

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