In Kashmir, People Using Social Media Through VPNs Booked Under Stringent UAPA

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against people for defying government orders on use of social media. This came after the administration on January 14 had issued an order banning all social media sites in the Valley. “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.

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, spokesman said.

Syed Ali Geelani unwell

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.

The FIR was filed a day after a video of the ailing Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani was uploaded on social media. Speculations about the health condition of Geelani had forced authorities to shut down mobile internet for a day last week. Security forces have been deployed in strength outside Geelani’s Hyderpora residence to deal with any eventuality.

However, the condition of ailing separatist leader is improving. “He (Geelani) is stable, though he continues to suffer from chest infection. In fact, he is recovering and is better than before,” a senior doctor of SKIMS hospital had said.