Police crack down on people posting photographs, videos with weapons

Ahmedabad: The city crime branch has launched a special drive against individuals displaying firearms or weapons in their social media posts or videos. Officials said the drive targets those carrying dangerous weapons, such as knives, daggers, swords, and guns and inflammable material in public places and post them on WhatsApp groups, WhatsApp statuses, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media platform.
The crime branch has also released a WhatsApp number for citizens to report such individuals. The identity of informers will be kept confidential. Senior crime branch believe displaying firearms or any weapons can lead to involvement in crime incidents. The new drive aims to be a deterrent.
The officials said once they spot such videos or photos, the crime branch's social media team will verify the area where the picture was taken.
If they find that the picture was from the city, an offence against the individual will be registered for violating the police commissioner's prohibitory orders. Senior officials said a case under the Arms Act will be registered and the person in question will be asked to produce the firearm and if it's found to be unlicensed, will have to explain where it was sourced from.
The drive was initiated after a series of videos of youths using swords to cut birthday cakes, among other incidents, surfaced.