Maharashtra government appoints SPs, DCPs to keep a check on mob violence

Acting on Supreme Court directives the Maharashtra government has appointed nodal officers in districts and cities to take measures to prevent incidents of lynching and mob violenceDistrict superintendents of police DSPs and deputy commissioners of police DCPs in commissionerates will act as nodal officers across the state to prevent such incidents a government order issued yesterday said The move comes against the backdrop of lynching of five men belonging to the nomadic Nath Gosavi community on suspicion of child lifting in Dhule district of north Maharashtra on July 1A nodal officer will have to set up a Special Task Force to get confidential updates on elements spreading hatred and fake news resorting to violence and making provocative comments the order said The Home Department headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the director general of police and the Mumbai police commissioner to issue orders regarding the appointmentsSupreme Court directiveAs per the Supreme Court directive of July 17 2018 superintendents of police SPs will be the nodal officers of their respective districts the order saidAn officer of the rank of a deputy superintendent of police DSP will be appointed to assist the nodal officer in taking measures to prevent incidents of mob violence it saidIn police commissionerates city areas the DCP of the zone concerned will be the nodal officer while an assistant commissioner of police ACP will assist him the order saidThe nodal officer will issue directives to the police stations in his zone to be alert and keep a close watch on elements who can possibly create mischiefOne meeting a monthThe officer will hold at least one meeting a month with the local intelligence department and issue directives to identify and stop mischief makers and curb circulation of provocative literatureThe officer is empowered to take action against groups aiming to create disturbances in the society He will also tackle provocative and baseless messages on social media which endanger peace in the society the order said Elements who use social media to spread violence with false messages will be booked under section 153A of the IPC which deals with promoting enmity between different groupsIn such cases a first information report FIR should be filed under relevant sections it said The local police station will inform the nodal officer immediately about filing of the FIR and he will monitor the investigation the order saidPolice officers not implementing the directives effectively will face action it added The July mob attack in Rainpada village about 100km from the Dhule district headquarters was believed to have been triggered by rumours about a childlifting gang being active in the area Incidents of lynching were also reported from some other districts in the stateCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever