Police crack down on Social Media hate posts after Suhas Shetty's Murder

Mangaluru, May 2: The murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty near Kinnipadavu in Bajpe has triggered a series of disturbing developments, with social media becoming a hotbed for communal provocation. In the wake of several inflammatory posts and messages allegedly aimed at disrupting communal harmony, Mangaluru city police have launched a crackdown, registering multiple cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 across several police stations. Notably, cases have been filed in Mulki, Mangaluru North, Urwa, Barke, Moodbidri, Mangaluru South, Kavoor, Kankanady Town, and Mangaluru East police stations against Instagram and YouTube users for content inciting hatred and calling for a bandh in protest of the murder.

Tensions further escalated on the ground following the bandh call, with miscreants pelting stones at buses in three parts of the city, prompting fresh FIRs in Kadri, Barke, and Mangaluru North police stations. In addition, three assault cases—believed to be linked to the Bajpe incident—were reported in Kankanady, Ullal, and Kavoor. Victims faced knife attacks and physical assaults in separate incidents, raising concerns over retaliatory violence. Police have intensified investigations and are keeping a close watch on online platforms to curb further spread of misinformation and maintain law and order in the communally sensitive coastal city.