Haryana News- Hooda expresses concern over role of social networking sites in spreading communal feelings

New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 23, 2013: Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda has expressed concern over the manner in which social networking sites are spreading messages with communal overtones on incidents through video clippings.
Speaking at the meeting of National Integration Council in New Delhi today, Hooda said that social networking sites such as Facebook, MMS and Twitter are propagating messages instigating communal feelings. He urged the Central Government to control such social networking sites under the present legal framework.
Hooda called upon the States and the Centre to reaffirm collective resolve to combat communalism and anti-national activities, so as to protect the vision and legacy of inclusive peace, justice and prosperity, which the founding fathers of our nation gave to us.
Referring to the situation in Haryana, Hooda said that the State enjoys an atmosphere of complete harmony and peace. Recently some mischievous persons had tried to create communal tension in Gurgaon and Rewari districts by instigating issues connected with transportation of cows, but with immediate and decisive response, the situation was brought under control quickly by the District Administration and Police. He said that the State Government is alert, sensitive and resolute and will never let communal forces disturb the State’s march towards inclusive and equitable economic growth for all.
Regarding the measures taken to tackle crime against members belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs),  Hooda said that Haryana Government attaches the highest importance to matters concerning welfare and protection of the weaker sections, including effective implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Government wants the members of SCs/STs to feel secure and live with dignity. In cases of crimes against members of SCs/STs, the FIRs are promptly registered. Investigation of all offences related to atrocities against SCs/STs are being conducted by officers of the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and charge-sheets are being filed in the competent courts of law within prescribed time limits. Some officers including the district SPs and Range IGPs have been directed to personally supervise cases of crimes against SCs/STs. The police force is being regularly sensitized towards crimes against SCs/STs by way of well structured training programmes being run in Haryana Police Academy and recruit training centres.
Hooda said that the proper follow up of reports of complaints of atrocities against SCs/STs received from various sources including the National Commission for SCs/STs is done. An SC/ST Protection Cell has been established in the Police Headquarters under the charge of Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Haryana for monitoring all complaints or cases of atrocities against members of SCs/STs. The Home Secretary and the Social Welfare Secretary to the State Government, Director of Prosecution, the officer-in-charge of Prosecution and the Director-General of Police review the position of all investigations done by the Investigating Officers.
Hooda said that Commissioners of Police and District Superintendent of Police have been directed to ensure action at personal level, as and when any information is received about any possible flash point, which may lead to communal tension. Peace committees have been formed for consolidating confidence in the communities. Whenever there are festivals, melas or religious occasions, timely alert messages are issued to the field formations from CID Headquarters for helping in maintenance of peace and law & order situation.
Hooda expressed firm resolve of the state government to meet the challenges of communalism and social divisiveness and to ensure a peaceful and socially harmonious environment for all. “We stand committed to combat communalism and all anti-national activities and fully support all initiatives of the Central Government in this regard,” Hooda said.