Kiran Reddy seeks tab on social media sites

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Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday said the Centre should ensure that all the social networking websites locate their servers in India for the cyber traffic generated within the country enabling the law enforcement agencies swiftly gather evidence.
He was speaking at the National Integration Council meeting held in the national capital which was attended by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
According to a CMO release, the Chief Minister explained various initiatives of the state government to maintain communal harmony, social and economic development of minorities, protection for women and prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs.
Maintaining that social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are used to unleash propaganda by communal elements, the Chief Minister said hate propaganda which spreads rapidly has potential to create trouble. The state agencies are handicapped as the material can be uploaded from anywhere in the world. “If these sites are governed by Indian laws, the agencies can gather evidence swiftly,” he said.
Reddy said the experience of the state has shown that “with political will, courage, commitment of administration at all levels, cooperation of all stakeholders and community empowerment, communal peace and harmony can be ensured.”
The state had evolved Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for maintaining communal harmony, he said adding that lot of preventive action is being taken to tackle communal disturbances.
Besides, priority is given to rehabilitation of victims of communal violence, he added.
Social media is target at NIC
Meeting against the backdrop of the Muzaffarnagar riots, the National Integration Council on Monday called for a collective effort to contain communalism. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the threat from divisive forces to the nation’s integrity must be dealt with firmly.
Wrapping up a day-long meeting of NIC, the Prime Minister said a national effort by people of all sections of society including politicians is needed to prevent incidents of communal violence.The misuse of social media to spread objectionable content and hatred among communities came under attack from the Prime Minister and a number of Chief Ministers who demanded some mechanism to check its uncontrolled use.