Crime Branch starts probe in controversial social media post

A day after suspension of Internet services in Kendrapara to thwart possible escalation of tension over an objectionable social media post, the police started a probe to ascertain the source of the controversial post.
"There is absolute peace in the region. Normal life is going on as usual and no breach of peace has been reported from anywhere. Shops and marketplaces remained open throughout the day. However, banking services were affected due to the shutdown of Internet services," Kendrapara District Superintendent of Police, Dayanidhi Gochayat, said.
The source of the objectionable social media post is yet to be ascertained. So far the controversial post has been shared by 226 people, including 12 from Kendrapara area, officers of the cyber cell said.

Central Range IG Soumendra Priyadarshi has been camping here and overseeing the situation.
"The police had a healthy interaction with people from various walks of life. Camaraderie and bond between various sections of residents remained intact as this area has been maintaining excellent track record of communal harmony," he said.
However, as a precautionary measure, armed police deployment has been beefed up in certain pockets, he said.
"The recent violence in Bhardak has prompted us to go for the Internet blackout as there is every possibility of rumour mongers going on overdrive on the social media to breach peace in the area," Kendrapara Collector Muralidhar Mallick said.

He said the cyber cell of the Crime Branch has begun a probe into the content and the origin of the controversial social media post.