Daijiworld Media Network – Amaravati
Amaravati, May 16: Andhra Pradesh Police are preparing to launch a statewide cyber crackdown and intelligence-mapping exercise to identify abusive and unlawful social media handles and individuals allegedly targeting constitutional authorities, public representatives and government institutions online.
Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, during a high-level review meeting on Friday, directed senior police officials across the state to initiate an intensive, coordinated and intelligence-driven operation against what police described as a growing trend of abusive, inflammatory and derogatory online content.
According to police officials, Cyber Crime Police Stations, cyber cells, Special Branch units, district crime teams, technical surveillance units and SHO-level intelligence networks have already been activated for continuous monitoring, profiling and intelligence gathering.
Police sources said the exercise would not be symbolic or selective, but a synchronised statewide enforcement operation aimed at dismantling organised digital abuse networks and restoring lawful conduct in online spaces.
Authorities stated that simultaneous action would be carried out across districts and police commissionerates to create deterrence and send a strong message against organised digital misconduct.
The DGP warned that individuals assuming anonymity on social media platforms protects them from identification or legal action were under a “dangerous misconception”.
According to Andhra Pradesh Police, certain organised groups have allegedly been misusing digital platforms to engage in online abuse, criminal intimidation, circulation of morphed content, propaganda campaigns, dissemination of provocative information, communal incitement, character assassination and cyber harassment.
Police stated that such activities could not be treated as routine social media indiscipline, as they affect public order, institutional integrity, cyber security and democratic governance.
The DGP observed that many of these networks appeared to be operating in a coordinated manner through anonymous accounts, proxy profiles, troll groups and repeat offenders allegedly attempting to spread hatred, provoke tensions and undermine confidence in institutions.
Preliminary intelligence analysis reportedly indicated links between some online activities and habitual offenders, communal provocateurs, organised cyber criminals, extortion-linked networks and individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Police said all identified social media handles and individuals would be scientifically verified and cross-checked with criminal intelligence databases including rowdy sheets, history sheets, communal offender records, cyber crime databases, jail release records and interstate criminal intelligence systems.
Authorities added that digital forensic analysis involving IP tracking, SIM linkage, device signatures, coordinated account behaviour and financial link analysis could also be carried out wherever legally permissible.
The Andhra Pradesh Police said strict legal action would be initiated under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and other applicable laws relating to cyber harassment, hate speech, defamation, criminal intimidation, spreading false information and acts affecting public order and communal harmony.
The DGP further directed officials to immediately initiate lawful cyber-investigation procedures including notices, summons, evidence preservation, account tracing, takedown processes and coordination with intermediaries in all relevant cases.
Police added that habitual offenders and organised digital propagandists would face stringent preventive and deterrent legal measures in accordance with law.