Delhi Government will soon launch a Whatsapp helpline number for people on which complaints can be lodged about hate messages/videos being circulated following the recent violence in North-East Delhi.
While social media sites are being used a tool to spread messages and videos about riots, Delhi Government official said, "There is a lot of hate material being circulated on WhatsApp. If anyone receives any such material, he/she should immediately file a complaint with Delhi Govt. The Delhi Government will issue a WhatsApp number on which such complaints can be made."
According to the official, a Government official will screen all the complaints received and the complaints which are genuine would then be forwarded to police for necessary action.
Meanwhile Delhi Government officials held a review meeting with the senior officials of all the concerned departments.
Soon after the meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said ,"No incident of violence has been reported from any part of Delhi today. Our first priority is to restore normalcy at the earliest. four Sub-Divisions got affected during DelhiViolence and there are about 18 SDMs in these sub-divisions. All of them have inspected their respective areas and they are identifying the houses/shops that got damaged during the violence."
Whoever is found circulating hate messages on the instant messaging application will face action under sections 153A and 505C of the IPC under which there is provision of punishment of up to three years, fine or both, an official said.
Authorities will also invoke provisions of the IT Act against such offenders. Action is taken under Section 153A for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth and Section 505C for making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community.
A large number of properties have been damaged. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel.At least 42 people, including a police Head Constable and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer have died while around 200 people have sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in the northeast district of Delhi.
