While Twitter India is already facing heat from the Central government over it's compliance on the new IT rules laid down by the government of India, now in an another matter the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Monday wrote to Jammu & Kashmir Police requesting to lodge an FIR against Twitter India Managing Director Manish Maheshwari and its Policy Manager Shagufta Kamran for a tweet showing a child firing in the air and being encouraged by a group of 4-5 men.
The commission was informed in a complaint about a post and video posted on Twitter under the handle @AGH History wherein a child has been shown to use a gun and is firing bullets in the air. In the video it is seen that there are 4-5 men who are looking at the child and encouraging and appreciating him to use the gun. The complaint alleges the video to be showing unlawful terroractivity support and promotion of terrorism using children and allowing terror organisations to use twitter to facilitate recruitment activities for terrorism in Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
NCPCR mentioned that from the perusal of the video, the group of men shown in the video seem to be associated with a terrorist organization and are training the child to be a part of terrorist activities. The complainant received by the commission has stated in its complaint that Twitter is allowing terror organisations like Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind supporters tooperate against India and carry out recruitment activities by using children to join terrorism against India.
The complainant has further stated that this Twitter post has been tagged with different regions of Jammu and Kashmir where terrorist activities are prevalent which thereby indicates that the intention behind posting of such videos on Twitter to instigate and encourage people to involve children in terrorist activities and make them child soldiers.
The Commission, keeping in view of the prima facie violation of child rights made out in the video, has deemed it appropriate to take cognizance in the matter under Section 13(1)0) of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.
Therefore, the commission has requested the police to investigate into the allegations made in the complaint and identify the origin of the video (region and country where it has been made) and inform the commission about the same.
The Commission has further requested that if, after identification of the origin of the video, it is seen that the place where the video has been made falls under the jurisdiction of J and K police, then an FIR under the relevant provisions of law must be registered and investigation must be undertaken to apprehend these offenders.
In case, the video is originated outside the jurisdiction of J&K police then the same may be informed to the commission so that it can can take necessary action in this regard.
The commission has requested an action report on the matter in seven days.
