IGP Kashmir orders social media watch ahead of polls

Srinagar, Sep 29: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi Sunday directed the Police officers to meticulously prepare, plan, and monitor their respective areas of responsibility to prevent any untoward law and order outbreak ahead and during the third phase of J&K assembly polls scheduled on October 1.

A statement of J&K Police issued here said that chairing a meeting at the Police Control Room (PCR), Kashmir, to review the law and order situation of the Kashmir zone, he directed the district SSPs, cyber cell, and IT and social media cells to monitor the social media and identify rumour mongers and those who post incriminating material.

The IGP Kashmir emphasised strict adherence to SOPs and stressed upon conducting coordination meetings with the public to ensure peace and calm in Kashmir.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Police and security forces to maintain law and order while safeguarding the rights and safety of citizens.

The meeting was attended by the senior officers of Police, security forces and intelligence agencies, all range DIGs of Kashmir Zone, DIGs of CRPF South and North Srinagar, all district SSPs of Kashmir Zone, SSP PCR Kashmir, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir, SSP CID SBK, SSP Traffic City Srinagar, SSP CID CIK, SSP Security Kashmir, SP PC Srinagar, Lt Col (IS) and other officers.

At the outset of the meeting, the participating officers briefed the IGP Kashmir about the overall security scenario and provided insights into the existing security challenges.

The discussions encompassed various facets including intelligence gathering and response to various emergent situations.

The district SSPs also briefed the IGP Kashmir regarding the preparedness and the issues related to the current law and order situation of their respective districts.

The meeting ended with a collective resolve to ensure peace and calm in the region.