The government in Jammu and Kashmir has ordered to block Internet services and social media sites for one month to prevent their misuse by elements "inimical to peace and tranquility in the state.".
"On careful examination of all relevant factors, it has been observed that use of social media, which is being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements by transmitting inflammatory messages in various forms are immediately required to be regulated," the order said.
The order said it has been observed that such elements are transmitting objectionable contents to spread disaffection among the people against the state and security forces with an aim to incite them to commit various offences at large scale.
The order said it has been felt that continued misuse of social networking sites and instant messaging services are likely to be detrimental to the peace and tranquility in the state.
The one month ban applies on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Snapchat,QQ, Wechat, Ozone, Tumbler, Goggle+, Baidu, Skype, Viber, LINE, Pinterst, Telegram and Reddit.
The government has asked all private Internet service providers to comply with the order.
The decision to block social media is aimed at halting the uploading of photos and videos of rights abuse by security forces in Kashmir.
Recently, the video of a civilian being used as a human shield on Budgam during elections on April 9 after tying him to the jeep went viral on Facebook and Twitter.
The video evoked a torrent of condemnation and criticism of the Army including by former army generals.
More videos were uploaded by Facebook users showing army personal torturing protesters by pinning them down and beating them with sticks.
In one such video, a group of youngsters were seen being tortured by paramilitary soldiers who were forcing them to shout abuses against Pakistan inside a security forces vehicle.
The videos inflamed passions in Kashmir and caused huge embarrassment to security forces and the PDP-BJP government.
The Facebook and Twitter have been increasingly used by protesters in Kashmir to vent their feelings and espouse the cause of secession.
Police said the WhatsApp has become a handy tool with protesters to mobilise support for militants during encounters.
The police has rounded up several WhatsApp groups and their admins and warned them to desist from misusing the facility.
The blocking of social networking sites, however, is unlikely to throw a spanner in the plans of protesters. During last year's uprising, government had banned Internet for months, but the intensity and scale of protests remained unchanged.
