Srinagar, 29 December (H.S.): The district administration Kupwara on Monday ordered a complete suspension of the use of Virtual Private Network services across the district for a period of two months, citing concerns related to public safety, cyber security and maintenance of law and order.

According to an official order issued by District Magistrate Kupwara Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, the decision was taken after communications were received from the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara and Handwara, reporting a surge in the use of VPNs by a significant number of suspicious internet users in the district.

The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, states that misuse of VPN services has the potential to be exploited for unlawful and anti national activities, including incitement of unrest, dissemination of misleading or inflammatory content and coordination of activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order and tranquility.

In view of the emergent situation, the District Magistrate ordered suspension of all kinds of VPN services within the territorial jurisdiction of Kupwara district, except those explicitly permitted by the government through a specific official order.

The order further clarified that the prohibition shall be applicable to all individuals, institutions, cyber cafes and Internet Service Providers operating within the district. Any person or entity found violating the provisions of the order will be liable to legal action under relevant laws.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara and Handwara, has been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the order in letter and spirit.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar