Bengal cops warn against fake profiles spreading communal hatred
Times of India | 25 April 2025
Kolkata: Bengal Police has warned citizens to be wary of fake social media profiles, claiming to be from Murshidabad residents, making provocative and anti-national statements to spread communal hatred.
Sources said while 1,093 accounts were deactivated until almost a week ago, the past week saw cops register multiple FIRs even as requests to suspend several accounts were made, ADG (law & order) Jawed Shamim said.
"We have noticed that some fake profiles on Facebook and other social media are claiming to be from residents of Murshidabad by mentioning various places there and are making anti-national comments and spreading communally provocative messages. Appropriate legal action is being taken against all such profiles. Many accounts have been and are being blocked. We earnestly request everyone not to share or forward any such provocative message that spreads division and hatred among people," police announced on their Facebook page.
Senior police officers said while all citizens have been encouraged to share any information of any suspicious activity, it should not be based on social media posts. "Information of this kind shared through social media handles defeats the very purpose. It also merits mention that any kind of public insinuation against any event without verifying facts is legally punishable," said a top officer.
Senior officers of the cybercrime unit said they were turning their maximum attention to posts that were being sent out in bulk. "There has been a barrage of misinformation being initiated by people from outside the state. Verification of facts is essential but people with no idea about Bengal are posting fake news," said an officer.
An ADG also confirmed that a few locals in Murshidabad, including the one who claimed a fake bomb haul, were served legal notices and asked to report to the police. "We received a number of forwards from concerned citizens. The VoIP addresses are being verified in this regard," a source said.
According to Bhabani Bhawan sources, the old style of passing off old incidents as new has been discarded. "Instead, AI is being used to change original videos. Even words are being put in the mouths of social influencers," claimed a source.