Dead gangsters ‘alive’ on FB

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 9

Though many dreaded gangsters have been killed by the police in the past, groups and accounts in their name continue to run actively on Facebook.

Operated from abroad

We’ve written to persons concerned to deactivate these accounts, most of which are operated from abroad... Selling weapons through social media is a serious issue. We’ll keep a check on it. — Bhupinderjeet Singh Virk, Bathinda SSP

Gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi Group and Sampat Nehra on their social media platforms have announced to take revenge of Vicky Middukhera murder. An account in the name of Nehra has posted: “Will take revenge of his murder by killing four for one.”

Bishnoi group has posted: “Vicky Middukhera had no link with our criminal activities and whosoever is responsible for his killing, be prepared for his death.” A few days ago, a profile in the name of Vicky Gounder brothers had posted: “Brother Rana Kandowalia has been murdered. Whoever did this should get ready as we will take revenge.”

A police official said: “Bishnoi and Nehra are popular among youngsters and to keep themselves relevant, they use social media to attract youth, who fall in the trap for easy money and fame.” Bathinda SSP Bhupinderjeet Singh Virk said most of the accounts in their names were being operated from abroad. “But we keep a track on such activities and have also written to persons concerned to deactivate these accounts. It’s a tedious task and the jurisdiction also plays a major role as most of the times these pages are operated from multiple locations,” he said.

In violation of rules, some even brandish weapons on Facebook. In some of the posts on these gangsters’ profiles, several people have provided their contact numbers to sell weapons. The SSP said selling or supplying weapons through social media was a serious issue. “We will keep a check on this as well,” he added.