Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police, Bhubaneswar Kataka, has issued guidelines restricting police personnel from posting photos or videos on social media while in uniform or on duty at sensitive locations.
As per the directive, police personnel deployed at sensitive locations in Bhubaneswar and Kataka have been prohibited from taking or sharing photographs and videos on social media without prior permission from the competent authority.
It was noted that some police personnel had been sharing videos related to their duties, deployment locations and workplaces on social media and other public platforms.
In certain instances, such posts had reportedly revealed sensitive information, including details about security arrangements and the locations of deployments, the order said.
Such lapses could create security vulnerabilities and make sensitive information available to the general public, potentially posing challenges to security arrangements in the future, it stated.
Under the directive, personnel deployed at vital and sensitive installations, including Lok Bhavan, Lok Seva Bhawan, Shri Lingaraj Temple, the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the Reserve Bank of India, the Orissa High Court, armouries and other sensitive establishments have been barred from taking photographs or recording videos using electronic devices without prior permission, irrespective of the purpose.
“It is, therefore, hereby ordered that the police personnel deployed at vital installations … shall not take photographs or record videos using any electronic device for any purpose without prior permission of the competent authority,” the order stated.
In-charges of all major establishments and sensitive locations have been asked to closely monitor compliance with the directive and take necessary steps to prevent such practices.
The order further stated that any violation would be viewed seriously and appropriate action would be taken against personnel found violating the instructions in accordance with the applicable rules.
