The internet in Jammu and Kashmir region has been partially restored after about six months of blackout, with the authorities limiting access to just several hundred websites.
But that doesn't mean that the region is ready to open itself to the free internet just yet.
Here, India has filed a complaint against people using VPN (Virtual Private Network) to bypass the restriction to social media. At least 200 Kashmiris were sued and have been booked under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for 'misusing online platforms'.
It started back in January 14, when the government issued an order to ban all social media sites in the region. After opening the internet partially, social media sites were not included on its list.
As a result, several Internet users in Kashmir installed VPNs to access social media sites which have been blacklisted. The administration created firewall to block the VPNs, but since there are many VPNs available online, the attempt could not stop users from accessing social media.
A police spokesperson said that:
"Taking serious note of misuse of social media, the cyber police station in Kashmir has registered a case against various social media users who defied government orders and misused social media platforms."
"There have been continuous reports of misuse of social media sites by miscreants to propagate secessionist ideology and to promote unlawful activities."
Internet Freedom Foundation, an Indian digital liberties organization, said that there isn't any publicly available blocking order that prohibits the use of VPN apps under India’s IT Act.
Iltija Mufti said that it's absurd that Kashmiris were not allowed to use social media.
Mufti is the daughter of Mehbooba Mufti the Indian politician of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Her mother served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 4 April 2016 to 19 June 2018. Iltija Mufti voiced her opinion by saying that: "I will go to Kashmir and use VPN. Let them slap FIR against me."
Mishi Choudhary, Technology Lawyer and Managing Partner at Mishi Choudhary and Associates, said the government should allow the internet to work like any democratic society:.
India had imposed a strict internet blackout on the disputed region to stop any rebellion against the Indian government. And the FIR is filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, intended to stop the spread of rumors and misinformation.
The internet ban in the disputed region by India is reportedly longest communications blackout in the history of internet itself.
Jammu and Kashmir police blamed social media platforms, saying “social media has remained a favorite tool which largely provides anonymity to the user and also gives wide reach.”