On April 12, the Mansehra district police established a dedicated Information Technology (IT) Monitoring Cell to identify and take legal action against individuals spreading sacrilegious and sectarian content on social media platforms.
District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told reporters that the cell, operating under his direct supervision, will monitor online platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook round the clock, and those found spreading religious or sectarian hatred would be brought to justice.
“This IT Monitoring Cell will ensure swift legal action against those using social media platforms to hurt religious and sectarian sentiments and challenging societal values through fake or misleading content,” the DPO said.
He further stated that the cell has acquired technical and geo-fencing support in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other law enforcement bodies to curb social media abuse.
He cited a recent honour killing case involving a woman and her daughter, which was misrepresented online as a sectarian conflict, potentially inciting religious unrest. “We cannot allow a handful of individuals to disturb the peaceful environment of the district and the rest of the country through such fabricated content,” he remarked.
The DPO urged parents to keep an eye on their children’s online activities, emphasizing the increasing trend of cybercrime cases for the countering of which, the cell had been established.
An awareness campaign has also been launched across the district to educate the public about how to protect themselves, their children, and their families from social media misuse, he added.
Photo Source: Mansehra Police – Facebook
