Chief secy orders scan on social media

Ranchi: Chief secretary Rajbala Verma on Monday instructed officials to keep an eye on social media to maintain harmony during Ramnavami. Public Relations Department (PRD), Santhal Pargana, Dumka posted an advisory on Tuesday for admins of all social media groups to refrain from posting anything seditious or communal in groups (including those being operated by journalists).

"It is the duty of the admin of the group to appoint co-admins and add other members who are personally known to each other. The admin should remove any such person who is found to have shared incorrect/misleading information, antisocial tirade or anything seditious in nature and report the local police station about the incident. In the event of failure to report such cases, both the violator and admin will be liable for appropriate action by the authorities under relevant sections of IPC and IT act," reads the advisory.

While the advisory has raised eyebrows among a section of the media, Ajay nath Jha, assistant director, PRD Dumka stressed that the advisory is not aimed at curtailing the freedom of speech of anyone. "The decision to issue advisory was taken after a meeting of deputy commissioners and superintendent of police of all districts under Santhal Pargana. We only intent to curb the misuse of social media groups by those who share incorrect or misleading information in groups aiming to disturbing peace and social harmony," Jha said.

"Sharing anything including text or photograph over social media groups including those on Whatsapp which can potentially disturb communal harmony or incite violence is an offence under IPC and IT act. This encompasses all groups including those being operated for sharing news and information by media professionals. Though the guidelines are quite subjective, action will be taken against offenders after thorough investigation," said ADG (ops) S N Pradhan, spokesperson, Jharkhand police.