UP Rioters Used WhatsApp to Ignite Hatred, Finds Police

Bangalore: Muzaffarnagar riots that began on 27 August 2013 have so far claimed over 40 lives and injured 93. This riot is believed to be sectarian clashes between the two religious communities in Shamli and Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh. The outrage in this region was started off after an alleged eve-teasing incident that led to murder of a Muslim youth at the hands of two youths of the Hindu Jat community. Consequently, these two youths were killed by a mob while trying to escape. This small town personal clash has spread like wild fire leading to chaos and loss of lives. Based on the findings by the police on the origin of the violence, it is reported that WhatsApp, a popular mobile messaging app is partly responsible for increasing the intensity of the already existing clash, reports Dipankar Ghose and Apurva for Indian Express.

The police claimed that video of two young men being allegedly lynched, which was actually recorded at least two years ago, was doing the rounds across the district from one phone to another through this cross-platform free messaging app. The police also further exclaimed that the video was actually recorded in neighboring country like Afghanistan or Pakistan.

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