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| People fume over WhatsAppdirective | | | Javaid Naikoo
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 20: Social networking sites in Kashmir are abuzz over a government circular issued in which administrators of Whatsapp messenger groups disseminating news have been directed to get themselves registered within 10 days.
The circular issued after Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Asgar Samoon during a meeting to review law and order situation directed the operators of social media groups to obtain proper permission from the concerned Deputy Commissioners for posting news items in groups.
Following law and order problem that had erupted in Kupwara recently a circular issued by district authorities in Kupwara said that "it is impressed upon all the admins of WhatsApp news groups of the district to get the registration of their WhatsApp news groups in the office of the undersigned within ten days."
As part of a preventive measure to curb rumour mongering on social networking sites after five persons were killed in North Kashmir during violent protests last week, the authorities had suspended internet services for three days in Kashmir.
While Whatsapp groups run by people across Kashmir have been directed to get their groups registered, the District Magistrate of Kupwara named an officer as the head of the Social Media Centre for registration of the WhatsApp groups and has been directed to keep a vigil on the activities of news groups in the area.
The circular while holding group administrators responsible for any irresponsible remarks leading to untoward incidents bars government employees from making remarks or comments on the policies of the government in these groups.
WhatsApp users while criticizing the government move said that it is a direct interference in freedom of expression entitled under the canons of constitution of country.
"Kashmir is first place on earth where People have to get registration for even running a Whatsapp group also, wonder how law enforcing agencies snatch freedom of expression from common masses here, is anybody listening, I think, no ,"One Facebook user wrote on his wall Some thinking otherwise have come out in support of the decision saying that it can help check spread of false and incorrect information on whatsapp groups run by every Tom,dick and Harry posing himself as a Journalist. "I appreciate this move, we all know how we all had to spend a night on roads recently when a rumour monger spread false news about death of children due to Polio vaccine,more strict laws needs to be put in place to curb fake message disseminating means."Another Facebook user said
University students terming the move a direct attack on freedom of expression said that government which has no right to know what people share on their WhatsApp groups forces its decision on common masses. They said that today people are finding it easy to communicate information to one another through WhatsApp and if now if government is hell bent to curb this freedom. |
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