Nagpur violence: Cyber cell identifies over 140 online posts with objectionable content

NAGPUR: In the wake of the Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Cyber department has identified more than 140 inflammatory posts and provocative videos across social media platforms aimed at inciting communal unrest, officials stated.
These objectionable materials were discovered circulating on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube, an official disclosed on March 20.
The authorities have issued notices under section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act 2000 to ensure swift removal of problematic content. Further notices under section 94 of BNSS aim to identify the actual persons behind these accounts.
Maharashtra Cyber, working with Nagpur City Cyber police, has detected several social media accounts spreading controversial content about Monday's Nagpur riots.
The released content was specifically created to offend religious sensibilities, trigger communal tensions, and destabilise the state's law and order situation, according to Maharashtra Cyber's official statement.
The material targets religious convictions to agitate the public and create societal rifts, as per the statement.
These violations present significant risks to social harmony and stability, the statement continued.
The cyber department acknowledged the extensive damage to public infrastructure and confirmed strict enforcement against those distributing inflammatory content.
Maharashtra Cyber authorities will take action against individuals who use digital media to compromise communal peace.
The department has requested public vigilance whilst sharing online information and advised against spreading unconfirmed or controversial material.
Officials report 69 arrests, including Minority Democratic Party leader Fahim Khan and eight VHP workers, related to the Nagpur incidents.
Maharashtra minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam announced on Wednesday that attacks on police would face severe consequences.
He emphasised implementing stringent measures against violent offenders to establish legal deterrence.
Monday night's violence resulted in injuries to 33 police personnel, including three DCP-rank officers, as mobs damaged vehicles, launched petrol bombs, pelted stones at police, and attacked residences.
Initial investigations suggest the violence erupted following rumours about a 'chadar' with sacred inscriptions being burnt during VHP-led demonstrations against Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
According to an FIR, some rioters allegedly harassed a female constable and attempted to remove her uniform during the unrest.