Drawing attention on misuse of social media (such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.) several apex organisations have come down hard against such activities and cautioned their respective community members to desist from such activities.
ASTD: Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) president L. Wati Jamir and general secretary K. Mar Lemtur expressed concern that individuals, particularly citizens of Dimapur could get into legal trouble for spreading fake news during the current pandemic. ASTD also said the video clips of recent “unfortunate but palpable incident of inhuman treatment” posted on social media at Vidima and Nihoto villages had sent “very wrong message of racial discrimination in the minds of the people”.
Reacting to reports that some faith-based organisations/groups defied government directives by organising mass gatherings and religious services in the state recently, ASTD urged all to refrain from such actions. It also urged upon all to refrain from spreading rumours and to strictly adhere to lockdown guidelines to prevent any untoward incident and also urged all to maintain a hygienic atmosphere, social distancing and not to venture out unless for emergency purposes.
DAYO: Dimapur Ao Youth Organization (DAYO) has slammed posting of fake news and uploading pictures and videos showing people indulging in “morally abhorrent behaviours on social media. In a statement, DAYO president Aotemsu Aier and general secretary S. Pangertoshi said while the need of the hour was to point out irregularities in the fight against COVID-19 and sharing factual information, the offensive activities of a few have brought shame on Nagaland.
It cautioned that such “thoughtless and insensible actions by a few” could help project the entire State in a poor light and stressed that this needed to be stopped.
Further, DAYO also cautioned that it would not take too kindly of any individual posting any material that brought bad name upon the Ao community in general and DAYO in particular by ignoring the gravity of the materials being uploaded or shared on different social media platforms. Therefore the youth body, urged upon DAYO members and the Ao community in general against indulging in “any criminal activity or spreading fake news” in the present grave situation and in future. DAYO urged upon its members to be benevolent towards all as it was a moral obligation not only in the eyes of God but also of mankind. DAYO has also said anyone found indulging in such irresponsible acts could endanger lives and properties of others and warned that they would be made answerable and that it would also be compelled to pursue legal action against such individuals.
CYO: Chakhroma Youth Organization (CYO) has also issued directives on use of social media platforms to all Chakhroma members including any individual member or group under its jurisdiction.
CYO president Seyieneilhou Keyho and general secretary Noseho Peter have advised all not to circulate/forward news, pictures, videos or any documents from unverified sources until approved by authorised organisation.
While advising use of social media platforms responsibly, CYO also asked members to avoid using languages that would hurt sentiments of other communities and also to refrain from posting comments/videos/voice notes which target other religions.
CYO also advised its members to report posts, videos or documents containing inappropriate or false contents harmful to society to authorities instead of forwarding them.
It also reminded all members to maintain strict hygiene, social distancing and to remain at home unless for emergency during the lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CYO has directed all its units to follow its above directives within their respective jurisdiction.