J&K: Centre bans social networking in sensitive pockets

Taking note of the impact of social networking sites, which can flare up an incident, the Centre has decided to ban a few of them in some pockets of Kashmir Valley. “Despite having difference of opinion, we along with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have formed the government in the state to carry out development. In no circumstances, separatists – irrespective of caste – will be allowed to wage war against India,” said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, PMO.

When asked about restricting social media in the Valley, he said, “Why not? If such sites disturb harmony, we have to restrict them in the Valley. Our government will take all necessary steps for the development of the state and keeping such elements at bay.”

The government’s decision comes in the wake of separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat’s arrest for raising anti-India slogans and waving Pakistani flags in a rally.

Security agencies claim that in recent years, such networking sites were used by “anti-national elements” to mobilise people against India, who often communicated “digitally” through posts like “curfew tomorrow”, “Go back India”, “Azadi”, “let’s become martyr for Azad Kashmir”.

Besides, uploading morphed photographs of security personnel being executed by militants or vice versa has led to unrest in the Valley many a time. Therefore, to ensure peace and for the safety of people, the Centre has decided to go ahead with the restriction. Since Friday morning, with the arrest of Masarat, hundreds of their supporters hit the street and had a pitched battle with the security forces.