WhatsApp groups, QR codes, call centre-like ops: How Noida protests were planned
According to Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, the pattern points to a systematic and tech-driven operation rather than a spontaneous outburst, as the police arrested around 400 so far.
Before Noida protests, 50 plus fake handles created in 24 hours to spread rumour
"There is an organised group who are instigating the workers and systematically pushing things forward. In the past few days, just three to four days, numerous fake Twitter handles and other social media accounts have been created," Noida police commissioner said.
“This indicates that someone may be operating a call centre-like setup or using technology in a coordinated manner to incite unrest,” the Commissioner noted.
In one such instance, an audio clip circulated on WhatsApp allegedly urged crowds to assemble and target police personnel.
The voice message said,
“Tomorrow, we must be prepared to attack the police. A lathi charge shall be carried out against them. Everyone is required to gather in the morning.”
The Noida Police has identified over 50 bot handles created in the run-up to the workers’ protest and used to spread rumour.
“More than 50 such ‘bot handles’ have been identified. Created within the last 24 hours, these handles are engaged in a concerted effort to spread rumours and fabricate misleading narratives regarding issues concerning laborers in Noida,” said officials.
“Prima facie, this points towards an organised conspiracy. A detailed investigation into the digital trails of all the aforementioned handles will be conducted by the Uttar Pradesh STF.
Strict legal action will be ensured against all such handles that attempt to disrupt law and order through the dissemination of rumors and malicious propaganda.
Analysts say some of these violence could be linked to 2027 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP under Yogi Adityanth as CM is in power since 2017 March.
The 2022 assembly election outcome threw up an interesting set of data.
Despite general perception that Muslims are against the BJP, the Lotus party won over a percentage of the Muslim votes in the 2022 Assembly elections.
The CSDS-Lokniti studies claimed at least eight per cent of the Muslim votes went to the BJP.
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