700 social media sites, accounts may be blocked

Most sites operate from across border; one of the handlers held

Intelligence agencies in J&K have identified over 700 sites and Facebook accounts that are instigating gullible Kashmiri youth to indulge in violence by posting provocative posts and comments. These sites and accounts are likely to be blocked by the authorities to ensure peace in the region.
Highly placed sources said that during the past two months, intelligence agencies in J&K have been studying reasons for radicalisation of youth in the Valley. While analysing social media messages and posts, it was observed that online indoctrination of extreme ideas was the main cause of radicalisation. “Over 700 sites were already under scanner but after the killing of Burhan Wani, it was observed that most of the provocative videos and comments were posted on these sites,” an Intelligence sources said, adding that the authorities would take legal opinion before censoring the sites spitting venom against India.
On Friday evening after confirmation of the killing of Burhan Wani, these sites and Facebook accounts were flooded with provocative posts and videos instigating youth to take to the streets, a source said, admitting that “it was due to the posting of highly inflammatory posts on these sites that the internet was immediately snapped”.
After analysing messages and videos on these sites, one of the handlers was apprehended by the police two days back, a source said, adding that initial investigation revealed that most of these sites and accounts were being operated from across the border.
“The handler apprehended by the police is being questioned,” the source said while disclosing that on Friday evening fake videos had been posted on these sites to provoke the youth.
“Although Internet services have been snapped for the last five days in J&K, still these sites and accounts are being flooded with fake videos because most of these accounts are being operated either from other parts of the country or from across the border,” a source said.