Hyderabad image suffers big blow, social media may be trigger

HYDERABAD: After three gruesome attacks reported in broad daylight, within the span of a month, Hyderabad’s image of being a relatively crime-free city suffered a massive blow. The experts blamed social media for triggering such acts of violence.
Right from the horrific murder of a software engineer at the hands of an angry mob — following false rumours about child kidnappers spread through WhatsApp — to the killing of a Dalit man in Nalgonda, in the name of honour, experts said it was social media that triggered such dangerous behaviour.
“At the click of a button, content related to hate and violence is available online. Such content increases aggression among people. Culprits are encouraged by movie scenes and crime videos that are widely circulated on public platforms. At a much younger age, people are conditioned to such behaviour wherein they do not find murder to be abnormal,” said Dr Virinchi Sharma, consultant psychiatrist, Manasa Hospital.
According to experts, in majority of these cases, people either suffer from a personality disorder or are depended on substance or alcohol. “People are insensitive while executing such crimes. When overcome by sense of revenge, they become reckless. In many cases, culprits don’t repent even after going to jail. Majority of accused have a track record,” said Dr Beena Chintalpuri, retired professor of psychology, OU, who now works as nodal officer for prisoners in Telangana.
On social media, people expressed concern over the frequency of such crimes. “Deeply saddened today by hearing this news that a murder happened in Hyderabad broad daylight and people on roads instead of helping that man were busy taking videos of the scene. Such a shameful act and even police couldn't do anything though they were present at the scene (sic),” tweeted Shagun S Lokre.