Over 250 websites blocked for triggering northeast panic

New Delhi: In the wake of morphed images triggering an unprecedented exodus of northeastern people from major cities in other states, the government today blocked over 250 websites for uploading doctored videos and pictures.

The  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 the people from northeast and to whip up panic among them, government sources said.

The government 2 days ago 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 people of northeastern states 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.

– IANS

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