As Internet Resumes, Police warn Action Against Misusing SMS, Internet

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

The internet services were restored at 10 am on Monday across state after it remained suspended for nearly 80 hours since Friday morning on the Eid-ul- Azha.

Meanwhile, with resumption of internet services, Police have warned of action under law against those who ‘misuse’ mobile phone SMS and internet messages intended to stoke communal tension.

“Misuse of  mobile phone SMS and Internet messaging  service  to spread malicious rumours with an intention to  stoke communal tension and  violent activity constitutes commission of offences  under the various provisions of  Unlawful Activities (Prev) Act, the Information Technology Act and Ranbir Penal Code,” said a police spokesperson adding, “anyone  who  forwards such messages (including  audio,  photos or videos) to other individuals or groups  shall be liable for  legal  action under law.”

The internet clampdown was widely criticised by people terming the move was ‘illegal and unethical.’

The ban on broadband, mobile data and GPRS was put in place at 5 AM on Friday, which was to remain effective till 10 PM on Saturday but authorities extended it and broadband services was restored at 8 PM on Sunday while as mobile internet was restored at 10 AM on Monday.

Taking precautionary measures, authorities suspended internet services across state to stop elements from sharing bovine slaughtering photos and videos on Facebook and other social networking sites on Eid.

The decision was taken in the backdrop of the Jammu High Court ruling criminalising bovine slaughtering in the state, which was protested widely by Muslims. Terming it as ‘interference in religious affairs’, many Muslim religious scholars had condemned the move and had asked people to make preferably cow slaughter on the EID.

Besides ban on internet, police has also warned of legal action under the various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prev) Act 1967, the Information Technology Act and Ranbir Penal Code against the person for sharing or uploading “malicious rumours” with an intention to spark communal tension in the state.

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