KP Sharma

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, plans to tackle the growing misuse of social media in the country through a joint intervention.

This move follows growing concerns about crimes linked to fake accounts, cyberbullying, and the spread of hate speech, which have caused harm to individuals and communities.

The RBP said that social media has become a platform for defamatory acts, harassment, and societal disharmony, often perpetrated through fake accounts.

While acknowledging the personal rights of individuals to create and share content, the police stressed that using social media to harm others and disrupt social harmony is unacceptable.

The police clarified that the move is not intended to intimidate the public but to encourage responsible use of social media.

One of the major challenges cited is the proliferation of fake accounts spreading hate speech, dividing communities, and eroding trust in individuals and institutions.

A police official explained that those using fake accounts often harbor personal grievances or seek revenge.

Unlike users who post openly under their real identities, those hiding behind fake accounts pose a significant challenge for law enforcement, as tracing them remains difficult.

The rise in cyberbullying, defamation, and hate speech has led to calls for stricter regulations to monitor social media platforms and hold offenders accountable.

To address these concerns, the RBP has initiated consultations with agencies such as the Department of Media, Creative Industry, and Intellectual Property (DOMCIIP) and the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA).

The police are working on measures to trace offenders and ensure accountability, although they acknowledged that the process would be time-consuming and complex.

For now, developing connections with social media companies is a priority to facilitate the identification of those responsible for harmful online content.

The RBP further clarified that the initiative is not aimed at targeting all individual accounts but will focus on the severity of the content they create.

The RBP urged citizens to use social media for constructive purposes and avoid engaging in criminal activities to prevent legal consequences.

It also appealed to the public to support efforts in fostering a positive online environment.

The case of Nga Galfren Mezo

A 37-year-oldbusinessman from Samdrupjongkhar, operating a fake account under the name “Nga Galfren Mezo”, has been apprehended by the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) in connection with the death of a 20-year-old TikToker.

According to the police, the suspect is under investigation to determine whether his actions directly contributed to the girl’s death.

He allegedly screen-recorded a live conversation involving the TikToker, which subsequently went viral on various social media platforms.

The police also revealed that the suspect has a history of complaints related to the misuse of social media.

Regarding the TikToker’s death, the RBP stated that all individuals implicated in the case have been apprehended, and the investigation is ongoing.