SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police took legal action on Saturday against nine people allegedly found engaging in the misuse of social media in the Anantnag, Budgam, and Ganderbal districts of the Kashmir valley.
The actions come just days after the respective district magistrates of the Kashmir valley issued a warning of legal consequences for those involved in spreading rumours, anti-national narratives, and other information that could disrupt the peaceful environment in society.
The Anantnag Police said that it is initiating legal action against three persons identified as Salman Mushtaq Kuttay son of Mushtaq Ahmad Kuttay of Check Wangund Dooru, Rameez Ashraf Hadi son of Mohd Ashraf Hadi of Watnad Kokernag, and Umer Farooq Ganie (Ghazi Sir) son of Farooq Ahmad Ganie of Ratherpora Khairbugh 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 hateful content on social media. Anyone found engaging in such activities will be dealt strictly with by the Law,” it said.
Similarly, the Budgam Police said, “To uphold peace and order, Budgam Police has taken strict measures against individuals misusing social media platforms to spread rumours”.
It said that two ‘troublemakers’ have been booked and presented before the Magistrate, with ongoing investigations into the matter.
“Budgam Police 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 tranquillity,” it said.
The Ganderbal Police also said that it initiated legal action against two individuals for uploading and sharing hateful content on social media platforms. “Waseem Mushtaq Malik S/o Mushtaq Ahmed Malik, resident of Safapora and Aadil Ahmed Rather S/o Mushtaq Ahmed Rather, resident of Nunner, Ganderbal 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,” it said.
“Ganderbal Police appeals to the general public of Ganderbal to remain vigilant about the misuse of social media. Any attempt to vitiate the environment and create issues of public order will be seen seriously and legal action will be taken,” it added.
Further, the Baramulla Police also said that it has initiated legal proceedings against an individual identified as Bilal Ahmad Wani son of Ali Mohd Wani resident of Wani Mohalla Baliharan Pattan, District Baramulla. “This action is in response to his uploading of hateful videos on social media platforms, containing inflammatory and seditious statements,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Awantipora Police also said that it is initiating legal action against a person identified as Sheeraz Ahmed Beigh S/O Abdul Majeed Beigh R/o Beighpora (Awantipora) for uploading inflammatory and instigating content on social media.
“In its message, Awantipora police once again urged the Public to be vigilant against such individuals who spread hate content on social media. Anyone found engaging in such activities will be dealt with strictly per the law,” it said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone VK Birdi, while addressing the media in Bandipora, appealed to parents to monitor their children’s use of social media and urged them to refrain from misuse. He stated, “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.”
“Individuals misusing social media for terror narratives and disturbing peace in the region will be dealt with according to the law,” he said. (KNO)
