Police have cautioned residents of Mumbai’s Mira Road area against making inflammatory social media posts related to the recent communal clashes in the locality.
The Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) Police issued a stern directive to all social media group admins, asking them to ensure that no forwards, jokes, or videos about the clashes are circulated. Stern action will be initiated against those found in violation, officials warned.
The order came a day after bulldozers razed down illegal encroachments in the sensitive Naya Nagar locality on the instructions of the Maharashtra government. The structures were demolished in areas where clashes had erupted between two communities during a religious procession on Sunday night.
As per reports, trouble began around 10:30 pm when 10-12 people conducting a bike and car rally celebrating the Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration were confronted and attacked by locals armed with sticks. Police teams rushed to the spot upon receiving stone-pelting complaints and brought the situation under control.
12 people have been arrested so far based on video evidence and an FIR was lodged for promoting enmity between groups. The authorities are however apprehensive that inflammatory social media posts may reignite tensions.
“We appeal to all citizens to refrain from forwarding unverified messages or old videos related to the incident. Help us maintain peace and harmony,” a senior MBVV policeman said. Officials have also increased patrolling and deployed mediators in sensitive areas as confidence-building measures.
