In response to the recent surge in public displays of criminal activities on social media, including the flaunting of illegal weapons and challenges among rival gangs, Pune city police have initiated a robust cyber patrolling program. This strategic move aims to closely monitor the online activities of criminals and their associates, focusing on those who glorify criminal behavior and engage in provocative online content.
Active Engagement of Cyber Police and Social Media Cell:
Officials from the cyber police station and the social media cell of Pune police are actively involved in the cyber patrolling initiative. The increased scrutiny comes in the wake of a social media post by local gangster Nilesh Ghaiwal, showcasing his visit to Mantralaya in Mumbai. The video, widely circulated on social platforms, prompted the police to summon 11 prominent gangsters out of a total of 260 criminals, including leaders of 21 newly formed gangs.
Targeting Notorious Handles:
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar emphasized the focus on tracking down handles with names such as XXX@302, XXXX@307, @Bhaigiri, @gangster, and more. Stringent actions will be taken against the operators of these handles, aiming to curtail their online activities.
Crackdown on Online Glamorization of Crime:
Several criminals from Pune have been identified posting photos featuring illegal firearms, swords, and billhooks. Some go a step further by uploading songs and dialogues challenging their rivals, contributing to an escalation in serious crimes. Police Commissioner Kumar stated, “Our teams will closely monitor the online activities of these criminals on police records. If anyone uploads a post glorifying crime or a criminal, or throws a challenge to a criminal, we will take strong action against them.”
