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| Vested interests fanning rumours, fake news to vitiate peace | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 25: Rumour mongering and fake news is giving a tough time to people of Kashmir with vested interests hell bent to create panic in the valley.
On Sunday, there was a fake news on Whatsapp groups that Army Chief Bipin Rawat had said there will be a major decision on Kashmir in next 48 hours. Similarly, there was fake news that DC Srinagar office would be shifted to other place and that there will be a massive crackdown and curfew will be imposed.
Just as everything appeared normal across the valley, a news flash appeared claiming that Supreme Court will hear a petition seeking the scrapping of Article 35A in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The news spread like wild fire across the Valley and panic-stricken shop-keepers immediately downed the shutters and the jam-packed roads soon turned deserted. Even the internet was suspended for some time.
The authorities said there may be some vested interests attempting to disturb the peace by such fake news and rumour mongering.
"Most probably there are some elements behind it. The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has directed district development commissioners to identify people behind these acts. The Whatsapp news groups have to be registered to make accountability," a senior official said.
"Those found involved in this mischievous act will be booked under the IT Act with minimum punishment of six months and maximum punishment of two years and these rumour mongers will be dealt strictly ," he said adding that the cyber cell of the JK Police was monitoring a lot of social networking sites and Facebook pages. He said some respectable citizens have told the police about the people who have been posting incorrect frivolous and fake information on social networking sites. "We have blocked a lot of pages in the past and action was taken against the culprits."
A senior official posted in cyber cell of the JK police said the rumour mongers will be booked under Section 67 of the IT Act 2000. "There have been modifications in this Act over the years. We are seriously looking to find out these rumour mongers. They could also be booked under the PSA." |
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