KARACHI: In the wake of recent killing of a young man in Hyderabad and subsequent spread of hatred and propaganda on social media that triggered tension among different ethnic groups, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon has asked the Federal Investigation Agency to take legal action against miscreants spreading malicious propaganda on social media, it emerged on Saturday.

In a letter written to the FIA director general on July 15, the provincial police chief stated that on July 11, a young man, Bilal Kaka, was killed during a fight at a restaurant near Hyderabad bypass after a “dispute over a food bill” at an eatery.

“Some miscreant groups on social media started spreading rancorousness which triggered ethnic tensions between Sindhis and Pakhtuns in major cities of Sindh, creating serious law and order situation,” the letter said.

The IGP requested the FIA to issue necessary instructions to the director of the cyber crime wing of its Sindh Zone to “strictly monitor such illegal activities and take stern legal action to discourage conspiracy on linguistic grounds to avoid any untoward situation”.

Meanwhile, a police spokesperson in a statement said that the Sindh police and the FIA would jointly initiate legal action against elements involved in spreading propaganda and creating fear and panic among the people.

“Monitoring of social media accounts and social media users who were spreading false information, propagating ethnic prejudice and other illegal activities has been started,” declared Mr Memon.

The IGP vowed that no leniency would be shown to the elements that were creating panic and fear among the people and triggering law and order situation.

He urged the people not to give any heed to rumours being spread about closure of roads, markets or related to ethnic hatred.

He asked the people to cooperate with the police for maintenance of law and order and promotion of harmony among the people.

Separately, the IG Sindh has set up an investigation team led by SP Headquarters to probe the incident in Hyderabad. He said the investigation of the incident should be impartial and transparent.

The AIG-Operations in his report to the IGP stated that total 15 untoward incidents had been reported from the province in wake of the Hyderabad incident. As many as 12 FIRs had been registered and total 90 people have been arrested in the province.

“The police have launched a province-wide crackdown on the elements involved in criminal activities,” said Mr Memon.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2022