Maharashtra Cyber, a nodal agency for cyber security and investigation, asked several social media platforms to delete offensive posts circulating in the wake of communal incidents in Tripura. While about 25 objectionable posts were found on Twitter, six were found on Facebook and five on Instagram. These posts were posted between November 12 and 15.
Different places in Amravati, Nanded, Malegaon (Nashik), Washim and Yavatmal in Maharashtra witnessed stone-pelting last week against rallies by Muslims organisations protesting the violence in Tripura.
"Maharashtra Cyber was constantly monitoring the social media platforms to avoid untoward incidents after the violence in Amravati, Nashik rural, Nanded, Yavatmal and Washim. The cyber wing has identified at least 36 offensive posts on social media platforms, most of them on Twitter," an official said.
"In those posts, the users had spread misinformation, which could have posed problems in terms of the law and order situation," the official said, adding that in some posts, videos and photos of violence were shared, which could hurt the sentiments of some community. Taking cognisance of those posts, Maharashtra Cyber sent letters to the social media platforms concerned, asking them to delete the posts. Accordingly, some posts have been deleted, while others will be removed soon," he said.
Stone-pelting was witnessed in Amravati, Malegaon and some other cities in Maharashtra on November 12. On November 13, a mob flung stones at shops in Amravati's Rajkamal Chowk area. The BJP had called for a bandh on the day. The police resorted to imposing a curfew.