J&K Police registers case against social media users for defying govt orders

After a slew of measures to block people from using social media, the J&K cyber Police has now registered a case against various people for defying government orders on the use of social media. This is the first FIR registered in the Cyber police station (Kashmir Zone) in Srinagar since it came into existence through a notification of the government.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday registered a case against various people for defying government orders on the use of social media.

The union territory's administration on January 14 had issued an order banning all social media sites to curb their misuse by miscreants for propagating false information and rumours.

"Taking serious note of misuse of social media, the cyber police station in Kashmir has registered a case against various social media users who defied government orders and misused social media platforms," a police spokesman said.

"There have been continuous reports of misuse of social media sites by miscreants to propagate secessionist ideology and to promote unlawful activities," he said.

The same was tweeted by the Kashmir Zone Police and retweeted by the J&K Police's official twitter handle.

Social media is their "favourite tool" as it largely provides anonymity to the user and also gives wide reach, the spokesman said.

The FIR has been registered after taking cognisance of social media posts by miscreants through different virtual private networks (VPNs), he said.

Miscreants are propagating rumours with regard to the current security scenario of the Kashmir Valley, the spokesman said.

He said these posts are "propagating secessionist ideology and glorifying terror acts and terrorists". Incriminating material has also been seized in this regard, the spokesman said.

This is the first FIR registered in the Cyber police station (Kashmir Zone) in Srinagar since it came into existence through a notification of the government.

PTI