Jammu, Sept 15: Authorities in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts have blocked as many as 300 social media accounts in just three days after they were found circulating provocative content and spreading misinformation aftermath the arrest of MLA Mehraj Malik.
According to officials, the IT Cells of these three districts monitored Facebook, X and Instagram platforms round-the-clock and traced accounts involved in sharing morphed images, distorted videos and fabricated posts aimed at provoking unrest.
Police sources confirmed that First Information Reports (FIRs) have been recommended against several identified handlers operating these accounts. While some accounts were traced locally within Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country, law enforcement agencies have also written to social media companies for permanent blocking of the rest.
Officials said the propaganda mainly included manipulated visuals of protests, misleading timelines of events and unrelated photographs portrayed as current demonstrations in Doda. “The content was deliberately designed to instigate the public and create a false sense of tension,” an officer said.
DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Sridhar Patil, stated that the IT Cells of the three districts worked tirelessly to identify and neutralize accounts spreading fake news. “Action as warranted under law has been taken and will continue against such elements,” he said.
Authorities have also passed on evidence to intelligence agencies for further investigation. Police emphasised that strict vigil will be maintained to ensure that no account is allowed to spread hatred or misinformation in the sensitive region. [KNT]
