J&K Police Book 9 in Kashmir For 'Hate Videos' on Social Media

The Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday booked nine people for allegedly uploading or sharing hate videos on social media platforms in Gandarbal, Budgam, Baramulla, and Anantnag districts in the Kashmir valley.

In Budgam, two people were booked for social media misuse to spread rumours, while in Anantnag three people were booked for provoking/rumour-mongering.

In Baramulla, police said they have booked a man for uploading hateful videos on social media platforms, containing inflammatory and seditious statements while in Gandarbal, two people were booked for uploading and sharing hateful content.

“In a swift action, Anantnag Police initiates legal action against three persons namely Salman Mushtaq Kuttay, Rameez Ashraf Hadi, and Umer Farooq Ganie @ (Ghazi Sir) for uploading hateful videos on their social media platforms in which they made inflammatory and seditious statements,” Anantnag police said.

Another man was booked by Awantipora police for uploading inflammatory and instigating content on social media.

“Under 144 Code of Criminal Procedure, we will bring a law under which any content – message, video, photo, audio — that can harm communal sensitivity or can threaten anyone will be a crime. You can’t forward such things too,” DGP J&K police Swain had said.

“We urge the Public to be vigilant against such individuals who spread hateful content on social media. Anyone found engaging in such activities will be dealt strictly with in accordance with the Law,” Kashmir police said.

Under orders by the deputy commissioners of districts, the government had decided to book people sharing videos, and posting texts and messages on social media that have the potential to trigger communal frenzy, disrupt peace, and promote terrorism and separatism.

These orders were taken out after a major controversy had broken out at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar where a student had allegedly shared a blasphemous social media post.

Deputy Commissioners had also issued orders under section 144 Cr. P.C prohibits and order the general public to refrain from ‘posting,’ ‘uploading,’ or ‘propagating’ messages or content glorifying terrorist and their actions, Intimidating and terrorizing individuals or general public or sections of the public, Exhort member(s) of the public to resort to violence by inciting, encouraging and spreading disaffection/ hatred, Propagate terrorist and secessionist ideology and false narratives, Promoting feeling of hatred ill-will on religious ground and likely to disturb public order and tranquillity.