Bihar Police crack down on illegal weapon display on social media, arrest 130 people

Patna, July 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Bihar Police have intensified its crackdown on individuals displaying firearms on social media and those involved in attacks on police personnel, officials said on Friday.

As part of a statewide campaign, the Police Headquarters has registered 102 FIRs, arrested 130 accused, and seized 40 illegal weapons in cases related to the online display of firearms between May 1 and July 14, 2026.

According to the Bihar Police Headquarters, dedicated social media cells are functioning in every district, while the state-level Social Media Centre and Cyber Crime and Security Unit are monitoring online platforms round the clock.

Officials said that many people post photos and videos with firearms to gain popularity, attract followers, or create fear in society.

Such individuals are being identified through digital surveillance and are facing legal action.

Patna recorded the highest number of cases during the campaign, with 17 FIRs registered, 29 accused arrested, and nine weapons seized.

Naugachia and Gopalganj each reported nine FIRs.

The Police arrested seven accused and recovered three weapons in Naugachia, while eight people were arrested in Gopalganj.

Sitamarhi and Motihari each registered eight cases, with nine arrests and one weapon seizure in each district.

Police Headquarters also said that action is being taken against individuals who post content that disturbs communal harmony, spreads religious or caste-based hatred, make defamatory remarks, or upload material that violates the dignity of women.

Such cases are being registered under the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the POCSO Act, the Arms Act, and other relevant legal provisions.

Since January 2026, the Bihar Police has identified 514 cases involving objectionable or viral social media posts and videos.

Investigations have been completed in 251 cases, while action is continuing in the remaining cases.

In a parallel operation, the Police Headquarters conducted a statewide drive against those involved in attacks on police personnel.

The campaign, carried out between July 5 and July 10, 2026, under the supervision of Superintendents of Police and senior officers, resulted in the arrest of 348 accused linked to assaults on police teams.

Additional Director General (ADG) K.S. Anupam said all district police units have been directed to ensure swift and strict action in such incidents.

Anupam highlighted that 32 accused were arrested in Nawada district in connection with an illegal mining case involving an attack on police (Nardiganj Police Station).

Similarly, 23 accused were arrested in Banka district in connection with Katoria Police Station, which also involved an attack on law enforcement personnel.

The Police Headquarters expressed concern over repeated attacks on Dial-112 emergency response teams, which are deployed to provide assistance within 10 to 20 minutes during road accidents, crimes against women, arson incidents, and other emergencies.

Officials warned that any assault on emergency responders would invite stringent legal action.

Appealing to the people, especially young people and their guardians, the Bihar Police urged citizens not to misuse social media or take the law into their own hands.

Officials cautioned that FIRs registered in such cases are entered into the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) and NATGRID databases, meaning a criminal record can affect future employment, competitive examinations, business opportunities, passport applications, and police verification processes.

Source: IANS