Kashmir Police registers FIR against misuse of social media

In a move to prevent misuse of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Kashmir Cyber Police has registered a First Information Report or FIR on Monday against social media profiles.

"The FIR has been lodged on the basis of continuous reports we were receiving on the misuse of social media, who defied the government orders and misused the social media platforms to create unrest in Jammu and Kashmir valley," said Tahir Ashraf, SP and Incharge of Cyber Police Kashmir to Entrackr.

The cyber police have identified 100 social media users who are posting fake and baseless information and are in the process of identifying more users who are misusing social media.

Access to social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are blocked for the users whereas access to the Internet is allowed, he added.

According to an Indian Express report, the FIR was filed post a video of the ailing Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani was uploaded on social media.

The case is registered under FIR No. 01 of 2020 U/S 13 U A (P) Act, 188, 505 of IPC and 66-A(b) of the IT Act. The restriction has been imposed for a week, added the SP.

Some media reports also said that the police have cracked down on virtual private network (VPN) apps used by the locals in the region and have blocked them.

However, the police have denied cracking down on VPNs.

"We are just ensuring that the govt order is being followed by the telecom operators and ISPs who are directed to place a firewall to block anti-India propaganda," added Ashraf. "I appeal to people not to panic, this is just a temporary ban on social media. The measure is just to weed out users who are using the platform to spread hate."

After almost six months of internet shutdown, the J&K government restored Internet service in the valley allowing only about 481 whitelisted sites.

Earlier on January 14, there was a ban imposed on the access of all social media sites for propagating false narrative and info to cause social instability.