Police book cases in Bagalkot against provocative social media posts

Bagalkot Police have booked cases against some youth for posting provocative statement on social media on Wednesday.

Cases have also been filed against administrators of some social media handles on the same charge.

Officers from the District Cyber, Economic and Narcotics wing and Mudhol Police Station registered a case against Sunil Ghaleppa Kuri, following his provocative post.

Officers of Kerur Police Station have booked a case against Manjunath Shivappa Koraddi for posting provocative statement.

In other police stations, cases have been filed against Nissar Hussein Rajappagol of Sunag, Akash Yamanappa Halabar of Sunag, M.V. Aslam of Mahalingpur, Mallikarjun Gadad of Guledgudda, Prajwal Raju Patil of Jamkhandi, Venkatesh Kanakannavar of Bilgi and others.

They also filed cases against unidentified administrators of a Facebook page Jawari Jamkhandi Mandi and Instagram page Mr. Ramji Vlogs.

“Action will be initiated against any person who posts or comments on social media messages that are controversial, provocative, that tend to incite communal hatred and disturb public peace,” Superintendent of Police Siddarth Goel told reporters in Bagalkot.

He said that officers have filed 19 cases regarding the stone-throwing incident that led to law and order disturbances last week.

“We will not spare anyone who is found violating the law or trying to disturb peace. His or her affiliation to any group or association does not matter. All are equal before the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, officers are making security arrangements for the Bagalkot Chalo rally called for by some Hindutva organisations.

The police have issued notices to leaders of some Hindutva organisations asking them to behave in a manner that does not disturb law and order. Some officers and personnel from the Special Action Force have been deputed to Bagalkot.

Local police, Reserve police and SAF officers took out route marches in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Police officers have also held a series of meetings with leaders of Hindu and Muslim organisations.

Deputy Commissioner Sangappa has promulgated prohibitory orders under BNSS in most parts of the city. However, the orders have been relaxed in some parts of Nava Nagar area. All protests have been banned in Bagalkot till February 28.