Andhra Pradesh Government Begins Massive Crackdown On Social Media Posts Targeting Political Leaders, Their Families

The Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government has started a large-scale crackdown on social media posts that target political leaders and their family members.

According to the reports, the police have registered as many as 100 cases, arrested 39 people and issued 67 notices for social media content that police say could promote conflict between groups.

Many of these posts target Chief Minister Naidu's wife Bhuvaneshwari, his son Lokesh’s wife Brahmini, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s daughters, as well as the state Congress leader YS Sharmila, NDTV reported.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naidu has told his party members to remain dignified in their response to the provocative posts.

The opposition party, YSRCP, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, claims that their activists have received 650 notices, with 147 cases filed against them and 49 people arrested in a week.

Reddy has said that Naidu and the ruling TDP has not fulfilled Super Six promises made before the polls.

"Why not file a 420 case against you? If questioned, they say they will file cases and make arrests. Our party leaders, activists and social media activists, including me, will definitely post against you," he said.

The Andhra Pradesh Police had summoned film director Ram Gopal Varma yesterday for posting morphed images of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on social media.

The filmmaker has been asked to appear before the investigation officer next week. He has told police that he would join the probe.

A case has been registered against the film director following a complaint by one Ramalingam, who has said the filmmaker's social media posts undermined the Chief Minister, his deputy and their family members.

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