UP foils Kanwar riot plot: 3 held for circulating Pakistan-origin video, ISI role under probe
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New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh police on Monday said they have arrested three persons suspected of being involved in circulating on social media a hate video message from Pakistan.Also being investigated is the possible role of Pakistani intelligence agencies in pushing the video, which was shared over WhatsApp in the western part of the state.The arrested persons-identified as Nadeem (25), Manser (45) and Rahees (35)-have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.According to UP Police , the video, from Muzaffargarh in Pakistan and dated April 2024, shows a man killing his wife and seven children with an axe. It was circulated on the second Monday of the Shravan month during the Kanwar Yatra , with fake voice notes alleging Bajrang Dal members were attacking Muslim families. Five WhatsApp groups-All India Employer Group, Khidmat Abbasi Group, Proud Indian Muslim, Muslim Samaj Zindabad and Kakraulli Yuva Ekta-were used to spread the clip.ADG (Meerut Zone) Bhanu Bhaskar said, "The field formations of Saharanpur and Meerut Range were continuously monitoring social media. On the input of a digital volunteer from Muzaffarnagar district, we were alerted to an attempt to incite communal disturbances in the district by posting fake, morphed, disturbing and provocative images."
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