Srinagar- Days after serving a tough warning against social media misuse, the Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday booked nine youth from different districts of the Valley on charges of spreading rumours and posting hateful, inflammatory and seditious statements on social media platforms.
The action comes days after police issued a stern warning and issued a set of guidelines for social media users under CrPC Section 144 in an attempt to curb spread of communally sensitive content and to discourage glorification of terrorists and secessionism
In South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, police initiated legal action Salman Mushtaq Kuttay of Dooru, Rameez Ashraf Hadi of Kokernag and Umer Farooq Ganie alias Ghazi Sir of Srigufwara for uploading hatred videos on their social media platforms in which they made “inflammatory and seditious statements”.
“We urge the public to be vigilant against such individuals who spread hatred content on social media. Anyone found engaging in such activities will be dealt strictly with in accordance with the Law, a police spokesperson said Saturday.
In the neighbouring Awantipora, police booked Sheeraz Ahmed Beigh for uploading inflammatory and instigating content on social media.
The police also cautioned people to be vigilant against hate spreaders and warned strict action if anyone is found engaging in such activities.
The action against social media users also comes over a week after Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain, said that police will introduce a new provision under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to criminalise social media content that promotes disharmony and terrorise or threaten anyone.
Meanwhile, two youths have also been slapped with criminal charges in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district for posting hateful content on social media platforms.
According to a police spokesperson, Waseem Mushtaq Malik of Safapora and Aadil Ahmed Rather of Nunner, Ganderbal were found involved in spreading hateful content on social media.
“Under the recently issued order of the District Magistrate, legal action has been initiated against both of them,” the spokesperson said.
While urging people of Ganderbal to remain vigilant about the misuse of social media, he said, any attempt to vitiate the environment and create issues of public order will be seen seriously and legal action will be taken.
Similarly, two youths were also booked in Budgam district on charges of misusing social media platforms to spread rumours.
“To uphold peace and order, Budgam Police has taken strict measures against individuals misusing social media platforms to spread rumours, two troublemakers have been booked and presented before the Magistrate, with ongoing investigations into the matter”, police spokesperson said.
Police, he said, encourages the public to stay vigilant and collaborate with law enforcement to apprehend any individuals engaging in disruptive activities and abusing social media, posing a threat to the community’s peace and tranquility.
In Baramulla district, another social media user was booked for uploading hateful videos.
The police said that legal proceedings have been initiated against Bilal Ahmad Wani of Pattan in response to his uploading of hateful videos on social media platforms, containing inflammatory and seditious statements.
Pertinently, apart from police, several District Magistrates in Kashmir Valley have issued advisories, asking people to refrain from preparing, posting, spreading or propagating incendiary messages and propaganda of terrorist and separatist outfits on social-media platforms.
“Such acts on part of these anti-national persons or groups are prejudicial to the security of the state, maintenance of law and order and are likely to disturb the public tranquility”, reads the orders issued by the DMs.
“Such acts on the part of these anti-national persons or groups are aimed at terrorising common citizens and public functionaries from discharging their lawful duties,” the order adds.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone VK Birdi on Saturday urged parents to monitor activities of their children, especially use of social media.
“Police will take stringent measures and legal action against those found promoting anti-national or terror narratives on social media, so parents should counsel their children to stay away from these activities,” Birdi told reporters in Bandipora.
He also warned people against misusing social media for terror narratives and disturbing peace in the region.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
