New Delhi: Several social media platforms have been put under intelligence scanner following reports that Islamic militants have been using them to propagate their agenda.
"Islamic State (IS) is using various internet-based social media platforms to propagate its ideology. Cyberspace is being closely watched in this regard by the agencies concerned and action is taken as per law," said Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The statement given by Reddy assumes significance following the fact that forces inimical to India's security have also been using social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to propagate anti-India hatred.
The government said that Islamic terrorists are active in many southern states of India.
"Some instances of individuals from different states, including southern states, having joined Islamic State (IS) have come to the notice of the central and state security agencies," said Reddy.
He said that National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered 17 cases related to the presence of IS in southern states of Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and arrested 122 accused persons.
Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and Daish, Islamic State of Khorasan Province, ISIS Wilayat Khorasan, and all its manifestations have been notified as terrorist organisations and included in the first schedule to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,1967 by the central government.
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"Investigation by the NIA has revealed that the IS is most active in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir," said Reddy.
Reddy, meanwhile, said that a total of 922, 901 and 1182 cases were registered and a total of 999, 1554, 1421 persons were arrested under the Anti-terror law (UAPA) in the country from 2016-2018.
"There are a total of 232, 272 and 317 cases, wherein chargesheet has been filled by the security agencies with respect to the cases registered under UAPA in the country from 2016-2018," said Reddy.
