Mangaluru, Udupi on alert; Round the clock police surveillance on social media

Manglauru: In the wake of the murder of a Bajrang Dal member in Shivamogga and other unpleasant incidents, precautionary measures are being implemented across the Mangaluru police commissionerate, said Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said.

It has been decided to increase police presence in sensitive areas, he said. A police route march was held on Monday morning in the city as a precautionary measure.

The compol also appealed to the residents to maintain peace and calm. “During the hijab protests, people of Mangaluru showed cooperated with the police to maintain peace. I appeal for your cooperation to maintain peace,” he added.

Social media sites are being watched closely, he said and added that social media posts are being taken seriously. Action will be taken against those who post inflammatory content that intends to spread hatred in society. Not only that, liking, sharing or objectionable comments on such posts is also a crime, he added.

He further acknowledged that a suo-motu complaint has been lodged at the CEN police station in Mangaluru against the posts on a Facebook page called “Mangalore Muslims” for inflammatory posts justifying the assasination.

Further, warned that any organization or persons who sow discord online will be booked. “We are monitoring the online activities of 1064 persons and organizations, and strict action will be taken against wrongdoers,” he said.

Security has been tightened in neighboring Udupi too. The police force has been on alert since Sunday evening and the beat in rural areas has been increased.