GHAZIABAD: Alarmed by the spate of rumour-driven mob lynchings across the country, the UP Police has decided to replicate the citizen volunteer force (CVF) initiative of Ghaziabad across all police stations in the state, but with a new name — digital volunteers.Launched by Ghaziabad police a year ago as a part of community policing project, CVF has helped cops in cracking several blind crime cases and maintaining law and order.Director general of UP, OP Singh, has now approved the project for all 1,469 police stations of the state, in order to prevent spread of fake news and rumours “A need to have such a group of active citizens was felt to help check rumours being circulated on WhatsApp and other media. The rumours have led to clashes and even deaths of many innocent persons,” the DGP office said in a circular.Sources told TOI digital volunteers would be entrusted with the job of circulating correct facts against rumours on social media or fake news, besides informing local cops about the same.Under the state-wide initiative, each police station will have 250 such members on a WhatsApp group. The members could be teachers, principals, retired army and police personnel, local reporters and religious leaders among others.A committee under the chairmanship of SSP will be formed in each district for selection of digital volunteers. Other members of committee are SP (City), circle officers, SHOs and SP (crime). The SHO and circle officer of an area will be the group administrators. Members of the district media cell will also be part of the group, sources said.The digital volunteers will also keep a tab on suspicious people staying at hotels and lodges, eve-teasers outside schools, colleges and educational institutes. They can also give information about land disputes.“It is a moment of great pride for Ghaziabad Police,” said SP (city) Akash Tomar, who launched CVF initiative in August 2017.“Within a year, the project grew in its scope which included cyber crimes and checking rumours and at present there are over 100 members in CVF core committee,” he added.

Stay updated with all the Noida Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.