Jammu: The state government is looking into blocking other social media platforms before taking a final call on snapping Facebook and Whatsapp in the Valley. The state police and the Union Home Ministry are involved in high-level discussions on it.
According to sources, the state government has also communicated that the social media websites, particularly Facebook and Whatsapp, are fuelling unrest in the Valley. It was decided that services of these would be snapped at least for some months.
However, the final call on this has not been taken yet, as they have received inputs that tech savvy netizens in the Valley are already exploring the possibility of using the virtual private network (VPN). Reports suggest that some people are already working on this direction and they could undo the plans of the government.
“We have received information that some people are working on the VPN, which will still allow them to use FB or Whatsapp. Though it will cost them a few rupees, money is not an issue in Kashmir, where it is hugely funded. So we are working on a plan to block these sites before we take a call,” said the sources. They said the Home Ministry is already in discussion with the top techies in the industry who have suggested a plan. “They are near completion of the plan and it could be out in a few days. The plan would be discussed in detail by top officials in the New Delhi, and if necessary, it will be fine tuned before being put in place,” said the official. The Valley is already abuzz with rumours that social networking sites are being blocked. The people who don’t hit the ground but are keener to spread the message and add fuel to the fire are more concerned about it. “The actual protestors are not so such worried, but it’s the instigators who fuel the unrest. These are the people who are responsible for continuous cycle of violence in the Valley. We are going to deal with them effectively,” said a senior official.
Early Times Report