Do not spread rumours through social media: Nagaland CM

Feeling that social media users played a role in Thursday's jailbreak by a mob in Dimapur and subsequent killing of a rape accused, Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang Saturday warned social media users against spreading rumours that could lead to communal flare ups.

Zeliang said some groups and individuals are using social networking sites to spread false rumours and libellous comments in an attempt to stir up communal feelings and public unrest.

Urging social media users to be more responsible and act as a medium for spreading the truth and good news, he said his government respects freedom of speech of its citizens, but will not remain a mere spectator to any social networking site and its users acting as channels to create communal unrest.

"There are certain elements who are trying to politicise the whole incident in order to gain undue political mileage and I appeal to the people not to be misled by the false propaganda of such unscrupulous elements," he said.

In a separate statement, Nagaland Home Minister Y. Patton said social media users in Nagaland have brought utter dishonour to the people of the state by uploading the incident in various social media sites, sensationalising the matter further.

"While appreciating the anger of the people towards such heinous crimes such as rape through their various forms of protests and agitations, it is highly condemnable when they start resorting to take the laws into their hands," Patton said.

Patton appealed to the people to demonstrate maturity as a civilised society and not to communalise the incident.