The police will deal sternly with Internet 'trolls', Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said here on Saturday. Cyber criminals are misusing social media to harass innocent people, and preventive action will be taken against such elements, he said, addressing a press conference here.

Action will be taken against trolls (those who post abusive, scurrilous or threatening messages on social media platforms) under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and they will be asked to sign a bond, he said. Under this provision, an executive magistrate can take a bond from a person to ensure that he or she does not indulge in any mischief or "breach of peace". "If they again indulge in cyber trolling, more stringent action will initiated for violating the bond," the minister said.