Kolkata: To prevent and control rising incidents of lynching, the West Bengal government on Wednesday directed police officials to take several measures, including improving social media monitoring, according to an official.
State Deputy Director General (Law and Order) Manoj Verma issued the guidelines to officers like superintendents of police, police commissioners, STF officers, cyber and traffic cells.
The decision was taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the official said.
"In the recent past some incidents have been observed which have a direct relation to law and order. Necessary directives and guidelines are issued from time to time in relation to such matters. Incidents of mob lynching have been a trend In recent weeks, the necessary instructions have been issued in this regard," the instruction states.
West Bengal witnessed a series of lynching incidents and recently a couple was publicly flogged.
"It is also necessary to monitor social media 24 hours a day so that more effective action can be taken against the accused as well as against persons who are spreading false propaganda related to such incidents," the order said.
He said civic volunteers and village police should be used more effectively to collect timely intelligence information so that action can be taken on any matter related to mob lynchings, the order said.
People need to be made aware of the problems related to mass lynchings and how to prevent them, according to the instruction sent by mail to district police officers.
On June 28, a man was beaten to death at a state-run student hostel in central Kolkata's Bowbazar area on suspicion of mobile phone theft.
A day later, another person was beaten to death by a group of people in the Salt Lake area over the same suspicion.
Two others also died in other districts after being attacked by mobs.
"All types of crimes against women are highly sensitive and immediate action is expected, including prompt registration of cases and prompt arrest of those accused of heinous crimes," the order said.
Referring to the state witnessing several incidents of robbery in jewelery shops and other places, the state government directed the police to develop more effective ways to prevent such incidents by involving all stakeholders, the instruction mentioned.
State Deputy Director General (Law and Order) Manoj Verma issued the guidelines to officers like superintendents of police, police commissioners, STF officers, cyber and traffic cells.
The decision was taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the official said.
"In the recent past some incidents have been observed which have a direct relation to law and order. Necessary directives and guidelines are issued from time to time in relation to such matters. Incidents of mob lynching have been a trend In recent weeks, the necessary instructions have been issued in this regard," the instruction states.
West Bengal witnessed a series of lynching incidents and recently a couple was publicly flogged.
"It is also necessary to monitor social media 24 hours a day so that more effective action can be taken against the accused as well as against persons who are spreading false propaganda related to such incidents," the order said.
He said civic volunteers and village police should be used more effectively to collect timely intelligence information so that action can be taken on any matter related to mob lynchings, the order said.
People need to be made aware of the problems related to mass lynchings and how to prevent them, according to the instruction sent by mail to district police officers.
On June 28, a man was beaten to death at a state-run student hostel in central Kolkata's Bowbazar area on suspicion of mobile phone theft.
A day later, another person was beaten to death by a group of people in the Salt Lake area over the same suspicion.
Two others also died in other districts after being attacked by mobs.
"All types of crimes against women are highly sensitive and immediate action is expected, including prompt registration of cases and prompt arrest of those accused of heinous crimes," the order said.
Referring to the state witnessing several incidents of robbery in jewelery shops and other places, the state government directed the police to develop more effective ways to prevent such incidents by involving all stakeholders, the instruction mentioned.
