Kohima, May 23 (MExN): Nagaland Police has appealed to citizens to maintain peace, vigilance and communal harmony in the state amid the prevailing law and order situation in a neighbouring state and the possibility of disturbances spilling over into Nagaland.
In a press release issued by the office of the Director General of Police on May 22, the police urged people to refrain from sharing or forwarding unverifiable information, rumours and provocative social media posts that could create false or misleading narratives.
The statement noted that in the age of artificially generated content, creating misleading narratives had become easier and cautioned the public against content that could disturb ethnic and inter-community relations in the state.
While requesting restraint and patience from citizens, the police cautioned that individuals involved in the deliberate or irresponsible spread of fake news, rumours or inflammatory content through social media or any other medium would be identified and dealt with according to the law.
It stated that such acts could invite legal action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and other applicable laws.
The police also urged citizens not to circulate rumours or unverified information that could create panic or mistrust among communities.
People were requested to remain alert and report any suspicious individuals or activities attempting to disturb the prevailing social harmony and peaceful coexistence among various communities in the state.
The police said such information should be immediately reported to the nearest police station or the Police Headquarters in Kohima.
“Nagaland has maintained normalcy and peace despite frayed tempers in the neighbourhood. We solicit everyone’s cooperation in keeping it that way,” the statement said, adding that insulating the state from developments in neighbouring areas and refraining from reactive actions was desirable.
Nagaland Police assured citizens that the situation was being closely monitored and all necessary measures were in place to maintain peace and law and order in the state.
