Three held for spreading hate; DCP Matani warns strict action against objectionable content

Nagpur: In the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives and left several injured—including a local resident—Nagpur Police have ramped up surveillance across the city. The Cyber Police have launched a citywide crackdown to monitor hate speech, rumors, and misinformation related to the attack on social media platforms.

As part of this operation, two youths from Madhya Pradesh and one from Jharkhand have been apprehended for posting inflammatory and controversial content about the terror strike, which targeted tourists in Anantnag district’s popular hill station, Pahalgam.

Nagpur has previously witnessed communal tension triggered by provocative social media posts. With this in mind, the police are adopting a zero-tolerance approach. In a proactive move, religious leaders were earlier involved in peace-building efforts. Now, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Lohit Matani, the Cyber Police are on high alert, tracking online activities that could disturb communal harmony.

“Cyber teams have been directed to monitor platforms for any hate speech, rumors, or content likely to incite violence in connection to the Pahalgam terror attack,” said DCP Matani. “Dedicated teams, beyond regular personnel, have been deployed to identify posts that may hurt religious sentiments or provoke unrest.”

DCP Matani further urged the public to exercise restraint and avoid sharing objectionable content, especially in WhatsApp groups and other messaging apps. “Strict legal action will be taken against individuals found spreading misinformation or hate online,” he warned.

Authorities are calling for public cooperation to maintain peace and stability in Nagpur, emphasizing that misinformation in the digital space can have real-world consequences.