Bihar orders two-hour response protocol for sensitive social media incidents

The Bihar government has issued strict instructions to district-level administrators and law enforcement officials to prioritise rapid response to sensitive matters originating from social media platforms. District magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) must now ensure that complaints are acknowledged and initial action is taken within 120 minutes of being filed.

The order follows a concerning spike in reported incidents over the past month. More than six cases involving molestation and physical assaults on women and minor girls have emerged through social media channels, creating significant reputational challenges for the state administration. Authorities have been grappling with the dual task of managing public order and controlling the spread of potentially inflammatory content online.

The two-hour response directive is intended to streamline the complaint handling process and demonstrate governmental commitment to swift action. Officials are expected to verify the authenticity of reports, initiate preliminary investigations, and coordinate with relevant departments before the window closes. The measure underscores growing concerns about crime against women and the role of digital platforms in both exposing and potentially amplifying such incidents.

State authorities have not provided detailed information about specific cases or the nature of all complaints received. However, the urgency reflected in the new protocol indicates heightened pressure on the administration to curb crimes against women while managing the information ecology surrounding these cases.