‘Operation Lagam’: Haryana Police targets social media hooliganism, road rowdies

GURGAON: Palwal Police on Friday launched a crackdown on gangster-style social media content and reckless road behaviour under a district-wide campaign titled “Operation Lagam – Na Reel Mein Gundagardi, Na Road Par Manmani”, registering FIRs in six cases, counselling dozens of social media users and taking action against more than 8,000 traffic violators in the past 40 days.

According to DSP Traffic Manoj Verma, the campaign has been launched under the direction of SP Nitish Agarwal to curb hooliganism on roads, online glorification of violence and improve road safety across the district.

In a major push against road indiscipline, Palwal Police has constituted five special teams, including SWAT units, to crack down on stunt driving, rash behaviour and traffic violations. Police said stringent action is also being taken at police station and police post levels.

Data shared by the district police revealed that action has been taken against 8,050 violators for offences including drunk driving, illegal red-blue lights, black films, pressure horns, modified “bullet pataka” silencers and driving without number plates.

The violations included 872 cases of drink-and-drive, 2,238 challans for black films, 27 cases involving illegal red-blue lights, 209 modified silencers, 2,469 vehicles without number plates, 2,021 without prescribed pattern number plates and 214 pressure horn violations.

The campaign has also intensified its focus on social media platforms where videos promoting gangster culture, weapon display and intimidation tactics are being circulated.

Police said a dedicated Social Media Monitoring Cell has been constituted for 24x7 surveillance of objectionable online content. So far, FIRs have been registered in six cases related to promotion of gangster culture and weapon flashing on social media. Around 38 social media users were counselled, while nearly 1,000 objectionable reels and posts were deleted.

Officials said several users voluntarily removed such videos during counselling sessions after being warned about legal consequences and the negative influence such content could have on youngsters.

SP Nitish Agarwal issued a stern warning, saying Palwal Police would not tolerate any attempt to spread fear or glorify violence through social media or public behaviour.

“Any person displaying weapons, showing firing scenes or spreading fear on Instagram, Facebook or any other platform will not be spared. Operation Lagam will continue relentlessly,” he said.

Police have urged residents to report such activities immediately on the helpline number 88139-99612.