Facebook under police scanner

SHILLONG: Taking a cue from the number of instances where new age media or Social Networking Sites are being used as a source of generating hate messages, Meghalaya Police, considering the sensitivity of the situation due to the ongoing Inner Line Permit ILP impasse in the State is maintaining a strict vigil on sites like Facebook amongst others.
Expressing concerns on social networking being used as by hate mongers as a tool to incite trouble, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, M Kharkrang said that there are websites propagating hate messages adding that they had earlier, closed down some of it.
“Facebook is a cause of concern if it is being misused considering many criminal cases like issuing threats, propagating violence, inciting communal unrest and the likes,” Kharkrang said adding that if such a need arises, the police will be compelled to write to the service provider to close down any particular social networking sites.
The police are also working out on strategies to contain the internet-related crimes and is constantly monitoring some of the sites from the work station in order to nip the problem on the bud.
“We are currently trying to work on a mechanism to close down some sites at an early stage, if found violating engaging in criminal activities which included propaganda,” he said adding that they usually find it difficult to fix this problem as the time taken to close down the sites is very long.
When asked whether the police will take the step of seeking closure of a popular social networking site, Facebook if such cases are detected, Kharkrang said “If such things happen, then we will be forced to seek for its closure in the State.”
Pointing out that the young minds who are more techno savvy are the vulnerable lot, the district police chief said “We are trying to reach out to the younger populace to abstain from such activities through our awareness campaigns held at very colleges of the city.”