Facebook post sparks communal tension in Nainital

Tension prevailed in Nainital district's Ramnagar town after objectionable pictures hurting the religious sentiments of a community were uploaded on a social networking site, a senior police official said here.

Pictures with objectionable content were uploaded by a youth on Facebook, triggering tension late last night in Ramnagar as the members of one community gathered outside the Kotwali and hurled stones at the police station, Additional DG Ram Singh Meena told PTI. 

Minor clashes between members of two separate communities were also reported in the Ramnagar-Shivlalpur areas, he said. However, there has been no report of any injuries so far in the clashes.

A 26-year-old youth, identified as one Rajeev, has been arrested for having allegedly uploaded the pictures on the social networking site, the ADG said. The situation is under control in the area with prohibitory orders in place. The Provincial Armed Constabulary has also staged a flag march in the city. "Our priority as of now is to restore order. We shall later start a search for those who engaged in stone pelting at the Kotwali and at some 'chaurahas'," DIG (Nainital range), Anand Ram Chauhan, meanwhile, said.