The Mangaluru City police have booked a case against unknown persons for allegedly attempting to spread hatred between communities through social media.
Acting on information that some messages were being sent of BJP workers wrapping saffron flag on the crucifix of a church during the recent poll victory celebrations, the police initiated action, said Police Commissioner Vipul Kumar.
He told reporters here on Friday that the alleged incident did not happen post-2018 Assembly elections. The police will act tough against people spreading hate through social media, he said.
Cases under IPC Sections 153 (a) and 507
Cases have been booked under Sections 153 (a) and 507 of the Indian Penal Code dealing with spreading hate messages aimed at promoting enmity between communities and criminal intimidation by anonymous communication. Quoting the recent Madras High Court judgement on social media messages and their forwards, Mr. Kumar said even forwarding such messages would amount to endorsing them and all those involved would be booked.
He urged the public not to forward hate messages and asked them to verify their genuineness. People can even contact the police, he said.
Eight arrested
The city police on Thursday arrested eight persons in connection with the riot during victory celebrations on May 15 reported from Adyarpadavu in the city.
Mr. Kumar told reporters here that the accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code in six different cases. Police are on the lookout for many other persons involved in the incident.
While BJP workers were taking out victory procession despite prohibitory orders being in place on Wednesday, a group allegedly attacked them near a place of worship at Adyarpadavu on National Highway-75 around 8.30 p.m. There was a retaliatory attack too and the police immediately brought the situation under control.
Mr. Kumar said the police were not expecting the riot to happen since the entire day of counting had passed peacefully.
He said the accused were Naushad alias Naufal, Dawood alias Dawood Hakim, Junaid alias Mohammed Junaid, Shahul Hamid, Harish Poojary, Nishant and Abhishek. All the accused have been remanded in judicial custody by a jurisdictional court till May 30, the Commissioner said.
Warning
Issuing a stern warning to trouble-mongers, Mr. Kumar said such people would be dealt with iron hand by law enforcing agencies.
Deputy Commissioners of Police Hanumantharaya (Law and Order) and Uma Prashanth (Crime and Traffic) were present.
