SRINAGAR: The Centre has blocked 14 messaging apps in Jammu and Kashmir region allegedly for spreading militancy. The decision was taken after gathering inputs from intelligence agencies.
The apps include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second line, Zangi, Threema among others. These were allegedly used by militants in Kashmir to communicate with their supporters and on-ground workers, reported ANI.
“Agencies keep track of channels used by over ground workers (OGWs) and militants to communicate among themselves. While tracking down one of the communication, agencies found that the mobile application does not have representatives in India and it is difficult to track down activities happening on the app,” an official told ANI.
Following this, the Centre, with help from intelligence agencies, prepared the list of apps that do not follow Indian laws and pose a threat to national security.
The list was then forwarded to the concerned Ministry with a request seeking their ban under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The intelligence agencies informed that these apps are spreading propaganda in the Valley.
The move comes days after the Poonch attack which killed five Indian Army men. Following this, the Army had asked people to immediately report any suspicious activity and also to keep away from engaging in militant activities.
“The Central Govt and the army have been working together for the development of the area and people of this region so that they could be part of the mainstream of the country. Keeping this in mind, people of all the communities should walk shoulder to shoulder with the army,” it said in a statement here.
“Hence, the people of this area should keep away from such type of incident and activities in future, if someone is roaming suspected in the region, then the people of this area should immediately inform and assist the army and foil the major incident like Poonch,” the Army said, adding that people were equally responsible for the maintenance of peace in the region.
The army statement came a day after Director General of Police Dilbag Singh claimed they had uncovered the Poonch attack plot with the arrest of six locals for sheltering the militants before they carried out the attack, for which they used explosives and weapons delivered to them from Pakistan through drones.
