New Delhi: In the wake of morphed images triggering an unprecedented exodus of Northeast Indians from major cities in other states, the government has blocked 254 websites, including 98 on Monday, for uploading doctored videos and pictures.
The Monday crackdown on websites follows a similar blocking of around 80 internet pages and user accounts spreading hate messages on a slew of social networking sites, including Facebook, Google and Twitter. The sites were found to be containing hostile propaganda and rumours that sought to incite violence targeting Northeast Indians and to whip up panic among them, government sources said.
While Twitter is reported to have not responded to the government's call because of which its accounts cannot be blocked, Google and Facebook are cooperating, citing international laws.
The government on Saturday had ordered to block 76 internet sites, with Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde saying that these sites were fed by elements in Pakistan to spark panic among Northeast Indians in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
The government has ordered an investigation into the fake messages on social networking sites. The Home Ministry is compiling evidence and is in consultation with the External Affairs Ministry over how to present this proof to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, one person was arrested in Coimbatore for forwarding inflammatory SMS. Cases have also been registered in Pune and Mumbai.
(With additional information from IANS)
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