HYDERABAD: In a bid to nip potentially flagrant social media content in the bud, the cyber wing will monitor social media ahead of the ensuing polls, said Rajesh Kumar, DIG, Counter Intelligence cell, on Tuesday.
Speaking to Express, Kumar said, “It is easy to arouse communal tension ahead of elections. So we are actively in the lookout for malicious content.” Ever since the model code of conduct (MCC) was brought to force in the State, the social media accounts connected to various political parties have been under the scanner of the Election Commission. Earlier, M Mahendar Reddy, State Director General of Police, had stated, “The source(s) of communal instigation will be identified and action will be taken as per law.”
“When a complaint is filed, we immediately take action. We write to the concernes social media platform being used to take down the sensitive content,” DIG Kumar stated. However, he declined to name any individual or political party accused of such actions.
Many political actors in the State have been accused of delivering hate speeches. Leaders including former Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh, former Chandrayangutta MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi have been booked by the State police for the same. Owaisi had also spent time behind the bars in connection to this. Recently, Kakinada-based Sri Peetham seer Swami Paripoornananda, who recently joined BJP, was previously externed from the city for his alleged communal speeches.