Srinagar: Alleging misuse of social media to instigate civilians to pelt stones near encounter sites in order to facilitate militants to escape, Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid said youth protesting near such sites are committing suicide.
The DGP further said that WhatsApp groups, besides other social media sites, are being operated in the valley and across the Line of Control (LoC) to instigate civilians, particularly youth, to protest near the encounter sites and clash with security forces.
“The idea behind provoking civilians is to create ruckus near the encounter site so that militants can escape. The other reason is to provoke security forces to retaliate and induce civilian causalities,” he said.
However, the DGP quickly added that in spite of grave provocation, the forces have been able to minimize collateral damage and civilian causalities.
“Around 300 whatsApp groups are activated within a minute of an encounter. Some of these groups are being run from across the border by elements who are opposite to the prosperity and peace of the state and the country. Then Facebook accounts and so many other social media platforms are activated instigating the young boys reach the place of encounter and pelt stones so that militants can escape,” he said.
Dr Vaid said when an encounter starts; security forces take cover behind a wall or vehicles in order to avert any causality. So, he said logically speaking the young boys who protest near the encounter sites are committing suicide.
The DGP appealed to the civilians, particularly youth, to stay away from encounter sites and from pelting stones at security forces. “If a youth dies, people remember him for few days and then they get busy in their own lives. At the end of the day it is the family who has lost a loved one is the sufferer. So, I request to keep their boys away from encounter sites,” he added.
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