Kishtwar, Apr 08 (NVI) : The District Magistrate of Kishtwar has imposed a complete ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across the district, citing serious concerns over potential misuse threatening public order and national security, officials said on Wednesday.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, followed credible inputs that certain individuals and groups were using VPNs to bypass lawful cyber restrictions and access prohibited digital platforms, they said.
District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Sharma stated that such activities could be exploited for unlawful and anti-national purposes, including spreading inflammatory content, inciting unrest, and coordinating illegal activities, according to the order.
“There is an urgent need to curb such misuse to ensure cyber security, maintain public peace and safeguard governance mechanisms in the district,” the order read.
The ban, which takes effect immediately, applies to all individuals, institutions, cyber cafes, business establishments, and Internet Service Providers operating within Kishtwar’s territorial jurisdiction.
The order provides exemptions only in cases explicitly authorised by the government through an official directive. Authorities have warned that any violation will invite strict legal action under relevant provisions of law. (NVI)
