Ram Navami: Police Issue Warning Against Rumors on Social Media

District Level Monitoring Cells Set Up to Track Inflammatory Content, Verify Information

Jharkhand Police have issued a stern warning against individuals attempting to spread communal tension or rumors on social media during the upcoming Ram Navami festival, emphasizing that such offenders will face immediate arrest.

RANCHI – In light of the Ram Navami festival, the Jharkhand Police have made it clear that they will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt communal harmony through social media.

Jharkhand Police spokesperson and IG Operation Amol Venukant Homkar stated that the primary focus will be on monitoring social media activities during the festival.

To this end, hi-tech social media monitoring cells have been established in all districts, with information from across the state being collected at the control room located at the headquarters.

Guidelines for Peaceful Celebrations

SSP, SP, and DC of all districts in the state have been instructed to share the guidelines issued by their respective social media cells with the public, as well as with Mahaviri Akharas and other peace committees.

The monitoring cells are equipped with advanced technology to track messages spread from unknown servers, with dedicated teams assigned to monitor various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and X.

The police have also urged the public to verify any rumors or suspicious information by contacting the police control room or their local police station.

Measures to Combat Misinformation

IG Amol Homkar revealed that more than a dozen instructions have been issued to district DCs and SPs regarding social media monitoring.

They have been directed to display signs related to social media at major city intersections and to provide helpline numbers for reporting misleading information.

The guidelines also emphasize that individuals forwarding inflammatory messages are equally guilty as those creating them, urging people to exercise caution when sharing content on social media.

Recent Arrests and Peace Committee Meetings

In recent times, several individuals across Jharkhand have been arrested and jailed for disturbing communal harmony on social media.

During Eid celebrations, two people from the capital city of Ranchi were arrested for making inflammatory messages viral on social media.

The police have shared information about such cases in peace committee meetings to serve as a deterrent and encourage people to learn from these incidents.