Mysuru: The Mysuru City Police have intensified surveillance of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, to curb the spread of fake news and rumours.
Police have warned that strict legal action will be taken against those posting unverified or misleading content that creates panic among the public.
The move comes in the wake of complaints from citizens over some YouTubers and social media page administrators allegedly circulating false information instead of verified facts.
In one such instance, videos showing passengers exiting the Mysuru Railway Station were falsely shared with captions claiming a large-scale influx of Bangladeshi migrants into the city. The misleading posts triggered fear and suspicion among residents.
Police traced the individuals responsible and summoned them for questioning. They were asked to produce evidence to support their claims. As they failed to provide any proof, the misleading videos were removed from social media.
Officials said those concerned were warned against repeating such acts and informed that any future violations would invite legal action. The Police have also deployed dedicated personnel to monitor social media platforms for the spread of misinformation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dr. Harsha Priyamvada told Star of Mysore, “Spreading false news without any evidence and creating panic among the public will not be tolerated. We have already summoned some individuals, collected information from them and issued warnings. Strict action will be taken if such activities continue.”
As part of the intensified drive, the Police are maintaining constant vigil over suspicious social media posts and videos to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that public peace and communal harmony are not disturbed in Mysuru and surrounding places.
