Tripura police have invoked the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against 102 Twitter accounts for allegedly spreading misinformation about the recent violence that took place at Panisagar in North Tripura last month.
“Tripura Police have taken up a case against a total of 102 Twitter accounts under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for spreading fake and distorted information related to the recent violence that took place at Panisagar North Tripura,” said Jyotishman Das Choudhary, Public Relation Officer of Tripura Police.
He added, “The case which was earlier investigated by police is now transferred to the Crime Branch division of Tripura police. The police have been trying to trace the handlers of the accounts.“
Earlier this month, six persons were arrested by the state police in connection with various incidents of communal violence in the state and several persons were booked for spreading rumours to create hatred between two religious groups in the state.
Tripura Inspector General (IG) Law and Order In-Charge Saurabh Tripathi had last month had said that fake photos and videos were being widely circulated on social media depicting the violence at Panisagar in Tripura, adding that these were being spread by some “anti-national” and “disturbing” elements.
He said, “No fire incident took place at any mosque in Tripura. The police have registered specific complaints and started probing on whatever had happened. And, regarding the malicious campaign in social media, cases were also registered”.
Earlier, DIG Northern Range Lalhimnga Darlong had also said, “Exaggerated and perverted rumours were being spread in social media that could spread high tensions between two religious communities.” He, however, said that some miscreants indulged in violence as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad carried out a protest procession against the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
A fact-finding report on Tripura violence revealed that if the BJP government had wanted, it could have thwarted premeditated violence against Muslim minority in Tripura, but it allegedly gave free hands to the Hindutva mobs. The report reveals that Muslims were attacked in 51 places in the state and 12 mosques were ransacked and damaged.
The Fact finding team was also booked under the Anti terror law by the police in tripura.