UP Police on constant alert; social media being monitored continuously:DGP

The Uttar Pradesh Police is on constant alert mode "as long as required" and also keeping an eye on various social mediaplatforms to quell rumours and fake messages in the wake of the SupremeCourt verdict in the Ayodhya case, DGP O P Singh said on Tuesday.

He added that 70 people have been arrested for rumour- mongering in the state and more than 270 social media accounts reported for further action.

The top cop of the state said despite the verdict coming out last week every district is on a "high state of preparedness" and no untoward incident has been reported so far.

"The eight police zones are working at macro-strategic levels. Additional DGs are effectively coordinating action among zonal districts along with CAPFs and other departments in their jurisdictions," he said.

"At the district level, each district has been divided into zones and sectors for focused response. We shall be on alert mode for as long as would be required," Singh told PTI in an interview.

The Director General of Police (DGP) said a special team has been tasked to check messages and contents being published on various social mediaplatforms in order to quell rumours and counter them with facts.

"We have a social media cell at the headquarters (in state capital Lucknow) which is headed by a Superintendent of Police-rank officer. This cell coordinates with district social media cells. They take cognisance of messages tagged to them, or even otherwise, and get the objectionable content removed and follow up with necessary legal action," he said.

All major platforms, Singh said, are being monitored.

"Fake news is quickly verified and a rebuttal issued, often by district SPs. Advisories against spreading rumours have been issued from the highest level. We have arrested more than 70 persons and reported more than 270 accounts," the DGP said.

In addition, he said, about 3-lakh digital volunteers have been roped in to report fake news and to disseminate the factual version.

A dedicated number--8874327341-- has been publicised where people can report motivated or fake posts, he said.

Despite the Supreme Court verdict of paving way for creation of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya and grant of a 5-acre land for a mosque coming last week on November 9, the security monitoring drills are still being conducted round-the-clock, he said.

"Every day, we review confidence building and law and order situation from the headquarters through reports, video conferences and direct contact. Our objective is to have enough show of force to act as a deterrent and to work through specific intelligence, of course, with the cooperation of members of the public," the DGP said.

Counter-measures:
"We have activated the zonal sector scheme and asked all officers and men to be continuously mobile and keep checking various sensitive areas. Quick Response Teams have been activated."
"Social media teams are working round-the-clock to ensure monitoring and removal of objectionable content and also to disseminate timely information. Close watch is being kept on identified potential troublemakers."
Police strength:
Preventive measures:
"During this month alone, 326 illegal arms were seized and 2 arms factories busted. To prevent misuses of licenced arms, 1,72,610 licensed arms have been checked so far and 57 arms licences suspended."