Itanagar, Aug 14 (IANS) The Arunachal Pradesh Police on Friday urged people to use social media with caution and refrain from sharing or forwarding unverified photographs, videos and messages about border incidents and the movement or deployment of security forces.
A statement from the office of the Director General of Police at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) said it had recently observed that photographs, videos, and messages relating to border incidents, as well as the movement and deployment of security forces, were being circulated on various social media platforms.
“The general public is advised to exercise caution while using social media and refrain from sharing or forwarding unverified content relating to security matters,” the statement said.
The PHQ advisory urged the public not to upload or share any photographs, videos, or information about the location, movement, deployment, or operational activities of security forces. “Such information, even when shared with good intentions, may inadvertently affect operational security and the safety of security personnel,” the advisory stated.
The Arunachal Pradesh Police authorities advised citizens to rely only on official statements and verified sources for information regarding sensitive security‑related developments. The police also appealed to people not to circulate rumours and unverified information, warning that such content could create unnecessary fear, confusion and apprehension among members of the public.
The advisory comes amid the increasing use of social media platforms as a source of information, where unverified photographs, videos and messages can spread rapidly. It may sometimes be presented as authentic without proper verification.
The police urged citizens to act responsibly when posting, sharing, or forwarding information, particularly when it concerns sensitive security matters, border‑related developments, or the movement and deployment of security personnel. “Responsible use of social media and a small act of restraint by every citizen can make a significant contribution towards maintaining peace, public confidence and security of the state and nation,” the police said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Police also stressed the importance of checking information authenticity before sharing it on social media platforms. They urged citizens to avoid becoming a source of misinformation during sensitive situations.
The police reiterated that citizens should follow official communication and verified sources for updates on security‑related developments and cooperate with the authorities in maintaining peace, public confidence and security across the state.
Arunachal Pradesh has a long international border with Bhutan to the west (160 km), China to the north and north‑east (1,080 km) and Myanmar to the east (440 km). The state has over 804 km of inter‑state border with Assam.
–IANS
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