Vadodara: Terror on your mobile

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Vadodara (Gujarat): In a bid to avoid a repeat of communal clashes like the ones in 2002, the police has arrested 138 people in Vadodara for allegedly spreading rumours and instigating violence through SMS.

The government of Gujarat had suspended SMS service in Vadodara for a day on Tuesday, to ensure that mischief-mongers don't create panic by spreading false rumours.

However, immediately after the service was resumed, messages instigating rioting started making the rounds.

One SMS even talked about two girls being surrounded in front of a bakery - but this turned out to be just a rumour.

Says Arif, a resident of Vadodara, "We want that all sections of the society should be united like us, but there are elements who are trying to disrupt this peace."

With the Army's flag march in Vadodara on Wednesday, peace is slowly returning to the city.

Ten companies of the Army were given special powers to shoot at rioting mobs to prevent any escalation of powers.

Nonetheless, certain elements in the society are hell bent on disrupting peace and are resorting to sending messages on mobile phones loaded with hatred and talks of violence.

Thepolice has arrested many people accused of sending provocative messages.

According to Police Commissioner Deepak Swaroop, "Every police station is under the supervision of a senior SP. Also all police stations have released lists of common offenders and efforts are being made to round them up."

The Short Messaging Service played a large role in instigating riots after the Godhra incident in 2002. It is because of this reason that the Gujarat government banned SMS services immediately after the riots started in May this year.

Though this has not stopped anti-social elements, the government is hoping that by bringing in the Army, things will soon come under control.

(With inputs from Aniruddha Maitra)