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| Govt turns heat on rumour mongers | | |
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
srinagar, Mar 5: The government finally seems to have woken up and has directed for registration of social media groups on Whatsapp and Facebook.
Rumour mongering and fake news is giving a tough time to people of Kashmir with vested interests trying to create panic in the valley.
The government has issued directives to District Development Commissioners to get all Whatsapp news groups registered within 15 days. The development came after Early Times recently reported how some vested interests were spreading rumours on social media.
The District Development Commissioner Kupwara has issued a circular asking all Whatsapp news groups to get themselves registered within 15 days.
"This step is being taken to curb rumour mongers and people with vested interests who are looking to exploit current situation," an official said. "If somebody does not get group registered, action will be taken as per the rules." The official said that there are various groups run by anti social elements to disturb the peace especially ahead of the pools..
Recently there was a rumour that Supreme Court will hear a petition seeking the scrapping of Article 35A in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Various media outlets circulated the news resulting in a snow-ball effect and it spread like a wild fire across the Valley. The panic-stricken shopkeepers immediately downed the shutters and the jam-packed roads soon turned into deserted spaces. Even the internet was suspended for some time.
"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.
He said 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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