Social media monitoring intensifies in J&K

Srinagar, Nov 24: The law enforcement agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified surveillance of social media platforms to curtail anti-national propaganda and avert adverse fallout on the peace and stability in J&K.

Greater Kashmir learnt from senior Police officials that around 150 social media handles were being closely monitored.

These handles are suspected to be spreading extremist ideologies and fake news, all of which are under scrutiny as part of a comprehensive strategy against terrorism.

According to officials, platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and X are being exploited to circulate anti-national propaganda, fake news, inflammatory videos, and manipulated images targeting youth.

The use of encrypted messaging apps has made it challenging to trace and curb such activities.

In the past, cybercrime units identified multiple pages promoting radical ideologies and glorifying militancy.

The Police have blocked dozens of accounts and initiated legal action under the Information Technology Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Senior officials credit previous campaigns targeting social media propaganda for the significant reduction in local terror recruitment.

“Building on this success, the ongoing crackdown aims to disrupt online networks that foster radicalisation and anti-national sentiment,” a senior officer of Cyber Police said. “Social media has become a potent tool for disseminating propaganda.”

The officer said that they closely monitor such platforms where the narrative is taking shape, designed to incite violence or to glorify terrorism.

“This is part of our proactive strategy in ensuring that such content does not influence impressionable minds,” he said.

The senior officer said that the renewed focus on social media monitoring comes in the wake of significant achievements in reducing local recruitment to terror groups, besides stopping other anti-activities.

“In recent years, our efforts to identify and act against individuals using social media for nefarious purposes have contributed to a substantial decline in terror recruitment,” the officer said.

According to Police data, recruitment numbers have hit all-time lows as a testament to the success of such initiatives.

To further strengthen monitoring, the Police in many places are cooperating with technology organisations and cyber experts to identify and blockade accounts associated with anti-national activities.

“The support from social media platforms in flagging and removing objectionable content has been crucial,” Police said adding that their ultimate goal was not just to block such handles but to identify the individuals or groups operating them and bring them to justice.

In addition to the surveillance activities, the Police have initiated community outreach programmes in an attempt to educate society on the threat posed by online radicalisation.

“Youth-focused campaigns in schools, colleges, and community centres are being conducted to raise awareness on responsible social media use,” the officer said.

The initiative has seen some early success, but Police officials acknowledge difficulties in handling the encrypted messaging apps and pseudonymous profiles of individuals spreading anti-national propaganda.

“Together, we can ensure that J&K remains on the path of peace and development,” they said.