LUCKNOW, June 18 -- Uttar Pradesh Police has launched Operation Vajrapat to crack down on a growing network of gangs in eastern UP that allegedly use social media and messaging platforms to recruit followers, spread fear and build criminal influence, senior police officials at police headquarters in Lucknow informed on Thursday.

As part of the campaign, police have removed 554 social media profiles over the past year, including 250 in Ghazipur, 192 in Jaunpur and 112 in Chandauli. These accounts were being used to establish criminal identities, promote unlawful activities and intimidate local residents, police said here in a press statement.

The operation is being carried out across the Varanasi Range under the supervision of Vaibhav Kr...