Amritsar rural police have booked and arrested a man for allegedly flaunting alleged illegal weapons on social media platforms. He has been identified as Tavtej Singh of Chhineman Patti, Rayya.
He was arrested following a tip-off that he had close contacts with criminals and anti-social elements. The informer told the police that the person usually flaunted the illegal weapons on his social media platform.
ASI Amanjit Singh, investigating officer, said following initial probe, the police arrested Navtej for uploading photos and videos with weapons on social media. He was currently on police remand. The probe was on to ascertain the source of the weapons which he used to display on his social media accounts. He said the accused had a couple of criminal cases against him.
The action follows the Punjab Government’s strict directives aimed at curbing the glorification of weapons and maintaining public order, he said. “The police had received information through an informer that he was openly promoting gun culture online. Such activities are a direct violation of the orders of the state government and by the district administration, which prohibit public and digital display of weapons to prevent the spread of fear and panic.
Acting swiftly, the police registered an FIR under the Arms Act against the accused. Amritsar SSP (rural) Sohail Qasim Mir said that the cyber cell was keeping a close watch on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Displaying weapons, whether licensed or illegal, is a punishable offence and therefore anyone found promoting violence or gun culture through social media would face strict legal consequences, he warned.