Uttar Pradesh Police have enlisted social media influencers and college students as “digital warriors” to strengthen its fight against cybercrime and combat fake news, an officer said on Saturday.

“The digital warriors (a network of social media influencers and college students) will raise awareness about cybercrime, counter misleading news, train ordinary citizens as cyber trainers, and publicise the commendable work and campaigns of the police,” said Uttar Pradesh’s Director General of Police, Prashant Kumar. Kumar cited a pilot project run by the UP Police ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela to combat fake news.