J&K to bring law to criminalize social media posts on terrorism, separatism

Jammu and Kashmir will take a strict action against the misuse of social media to propagate content that could disrupt communal harmony or threaten the security of the region, the Director General of Police, RR Swain, said on Thursday. 

This means that sharing any material on social media promoting separatism, terrorism, or communal tensions will soon be considered a criminal offense.

The decision follows an incident involving a student accused of posting offensive content on social media which triggered protests across colleges in Srinagar. 

Swain emphasized that stringent action will be taken against individuals found sharing such content, utilizing a new law under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The police are actively investigating cases to ensure appropriate legal procedures are followed.

Swain highlighted concerns regarding messages originating from across the border, particularly from Pakistan, aiming to disrupt peace and stability in the Union Territory. He urged the public to be vigilant against anti-national elements seeking to exploit the situation for their disruptive agendas.