100 cases filed, 39 arrested…
On Thursday, 14 November 2024, The N Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh has launched a crackdown against social media posts.
It was targeting political leaders and their family members.
A number of 100 police cases have been registered, 39 people arrested and 67 notices issued for social media content that police say could promote conflict between two communal groups.
Many of these posts target CM Naidu's wife Bhuvaneshwari, his son and minister Lokesh's wife Brahmini, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan's daughters and also state Congress chief YS Sharmila.
Chief minister Naidu has told his party members to remain dignified in their response to the provocative posts.
The Opposition, Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP, has said their activists have been served with 650 notices, 147 cases have been filed against them and 49 people have been arrested in a week.
Mr. Reddy has said that Mr. Naidu and the ruling TDP has not fulfilled Super Six promises made before the polls. "Why not file a 420 case against you… If questioned, they say they will file cases and make arrests. Our party leaders, activists and social media activists, including me, will definitely post against you," he said.
Andhra Police summoned film director Ram Gopal Varma for posting morphed photographs of the CM and the Deputy CM on social media.
The filmmaker has been asked to appear before the investigation officer. He has told police that he would join the investigation.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.