Poonch Social Media Restrictions have been imposed for 60 days as the district administration moves to curb inflammatory online content and maintain public order.
POONCH MIRROR NEWS DESK APRIL 17,2026
Poonch, April 17: The District Magistrate of Poonch has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, imposing a 60-day restriction on the posting, sharing and circulation of inflammatory and misleading content on social media platforms to prevent communal tensions and maintain public order.
The move comes amid heightened concerns over the circulation of communal content online in the region.
According to the official order, the restrictions come into force with immediate effect and will remain in operation for 60 days unless modified or withdrawn earlier.
The order prohibits uploading, sharing, or forwarding any content including text, images, videos, audio, memes, graphics, or reels that promotes enmity, hatred, or ill-will between communities on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, language, or region.
The administration stated that social media platforms have been increasingly misused to spread communally provocative and false content, which has the potential to disturb public order, create communal tensions, and endanger lives and property.
Under the prohibitory directive, the following activities have been explicitly banned:
Communal Content: Material promoting hatred or ill-will between communities on religious, caste, linguistic, or regional grounds.
Fake News and Rumours: Creation or dissemination of false, fabricated, or misleading information designed to incite communal tensions, riots, or violence.
Morphed and Doctored Visuals: Circulating morphed, doctored, or out-of-context images or videos to misrepresent incidents and inflame communal sentiments.
Boycott Calls and Threats: Using social media platforms to call for boycotts, issue threats, or incite violence against any specific community, religion, or caste.
Organising Mobs: Coordinating unlawful assemblies or processions through social media with the intent to target, intimidate, or harm any particular community.
Hate Speech: Content that deliberately provokes sectarian or communal tensions.
The order covers all major digital platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram, officials said.
The administration has warned that violations will attract stringent action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment, including terms of up to seven years, and in certain serious offences, life imprisonment under applicable laws.
Specifically, promoting enmity between groups under Section 196(1) of the BNS carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine, or both. Acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India under Section 152 of the BNS can lead to imprisonment of up to seven years or a life term, along with a fine.
Citizens have been directed to exercise caution and refrain from forwarding inflammatory content. The order urges people to report such material to the nearest police station or the cybercrime unit.
The directive also places responsibility on administrators of WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, Facebook pages, and YouTube channels to prevent the circulation of prohibited content. Failure to do so will attract legal liability.
Social media intermediaries have been instructed to comply with takedown requests issued by authorities under Section 69A of the IT Act and the IT Rules, 2021. Non-compliance may result in loss of safe harbour protection and other legal consequences.
For enforcement, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Poonch, has been directed to ensure prompt registration of FIRs against violators. The Cyber Crime Unit will undertake round-the-clock surveillance of social media platforms to proactively identify prohibited content. Additionally, special Social Media Monitoring Cells will be constituted at the sub-divisional level, under the supervision of respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates.
The order will remain in force for 60 days from the date of issuance unless extended, modified, or revoked earlier.
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The order has been issued under Section 163 of the BNSS, as per official legal provisions.
See official order below
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