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LUCKNOW: UP Police will raise a force of digital volunteers to check Bhim Army-like forces from vitiating and mobilising people through social media. Initially, 24 digital volunteers would be deputed for major towns of Uttar Pradesh.

During a review of Saharanpur clashes, UP Police found that Chandrashekhar-led Bhim Army used social media to mobilise mob against different caste groups. Saharanpur administration had to even snap internet services for a few days to check rumour mongering during clashes. A report prepared by the police department states that Bhim Army, which came into existence in 2015, instigated dalits through social media to orchestrate violence in Saharanpur.

Even when Chandrashekhar was on the run, his followers kept spreading misinformation over WhatsApp groups and Facebook that dozens of dalits were killed at Chandrapur Majbatta village of Saharanpur.

By the time police defused tension, damage had been done - 10 houses were torched and 18 youths injured. Chandrashekhar was arrested on Thursday after being on the run for 28 days.

Head of social media cell of UP Police, ASP Rahul Srivastava , who has raised this force on the directive of DGP Sulkhan Singh, said the cell is preparing a standard operating procedure to respond in times of emergency and disaster on social media.

Srivastava said, "We are analyzing the study done by the National Science Foundation, US, to finalise the roadmap. The digital volunteers would not be paid money but will be our associates who would dispel rumours instantly and also share helpline numbers and action taken in the matter after cross checking facts with local police." The department will invite entries from volunteers and scrutinize their background.

The Facebook timeline of the volunteers will be also scanned to ensure a person with strong political leanings or extreme ideology is not selected. "A young and educated team will be built," added Srivastava. At present, the social media platforms are monitored by constables, most of whom are not tech-savvy. Some of them also face difficulty while handling queries in English. The digital volunteers will be under the direct supervision of a DySP posted in the district.

