Srinagar
To monitor “trouble mongers” and to reach out to masses at their doorsteps with an aim to address grievances, Jammu and Kashmir Police Department have asked its men to have accounts on social networking site Facebook.
The department has issued advisories to all the police stations across the state to have a Facebook account not only to easily approach people in this digital world but also to monitor and watch the activities of “anti-social” and “anti-national-elements” active on social media with a motive to disturb peaceful atmosphere of the region.
“The Station House Officers of respective police stations across the state have been directed to open Facebook accounts to interact with people,” police sources told, news gathering agency, UNI.
They said, ”In this era of digitalisation, when everything is getting hi-tech, we must grab an opportunity and use social media as tool to reach out to the masses with a click.”
”So far, around 50 police stations in the state have started operating their Facebook accounts and in many cases, complaints have also been received directly from the users linked with the page,” sources added.
They added that the district Police Chiefs have been asked to direct their subordinates to operate the accounts and keep round the clock watch.
“Many internet service providers are offering lucrative offers and schemes in internet packages, so it is not a costly affair,” police sources added.
They further said, ”One person at each police station is also deputed to monitor activities on the Facebook and if anything of serious nature is found, swift action is initiated.”
”With introduction of this innovative idea, people have started connecting with the police and sharing information,” sources said and added, ”the concerned who is opening a Facebook account, is suggested to place picture of the police station with the name.”
”For example, if police station from Nowabad has to operate a page on the social site will appear as ‘Police Station Nowbad’ with a picture of the police station for easy identification by users,” they asserted.
”Moreover, the active policing on social media, especially on Facebook will also prevent uploading of troublesome and unwanted posts by some anti-social elements,” they added.
Sources said, ”On Whatsapp, sometimes it becomes difficult to catch the culprit spreading hatred messages and the location from where they are generated but on FB, the task becomes easier as anybody uploading controversial posts, can be easily identified.”
”We are glad that the exercise is paying positive results and in many cases, vital information is also being received in the personal inbox from the users linked with the pages to crack cases,” sources said.
They said that pocket internet nowadays is available with the people, who are aware of its constructive use and is working out wonderfully for the department. (UNI)
