Calcutta police on Tuesday said they would track down the persons behind social media posts spreading rumours about violence related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and ask them to take down the posts.
Police officers said they were not yet thinking of prosecuting people who were circulating mischievous posts or spreading misinformation.
The police said citizens should dial 100 or contact the city police control room (see chart) to report any incident of incitement, in person or through social media, or to clarify any doubt.
Senior officers at Lalbazar said there had been no violence in Calcutta related to the citizenship act till Tuesday.
“There was a two-hour blockade at Park Circus last Friday. But not a single incident of violence has been reported from the city,” an officer said.
Calcutta police commissioner Anuj Sharma told Metro on Tuesday evening: “Some unscrupulous elements try to spread rumours whenever they get a chance for personal gains. I would request the citizens not to give any heed to such false rumours or fake news. A pointer to this is the fact that Calcutta has remained peaceful throughout the CAA agitation even though some persons with personal interests have been trying to spread rumours to the contrary. I would request citizens to follow the Calcutta police Twitter handle and Facebook page. We share regular information. Citizens can always communicate on these and seek clarifications. And as I flagged on a number of occasions, in case of any doubt or if you see anyone in any kind of distress, please dial 100. We will help you out.”
Police sources said a wing of the city police had been actively tracking social media posts, locating the people who were sharing and spreading them and asking them to delete the posts.
Several posts on social media and chat groups are spreading rumours about violence. According to the police, these posts are being circulated with a vested interest to stoke “communal tension”.
Sources said the police would not allow any organisation to hold any rally or block roads without taking permission from the cops.
