Leh,: The Leh district administration has invoked legal provisions to curb the spread of misinformation on social media, days after the region witnessed violent clashes.
Mobile internet services were restored in Leh on Thursday night after being suspended for over two weeks following the September 24 violence, which left four people dead and several others injured.
District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk said the order prohibiting fake news under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) will remain in force for two months.
He noted that there were sufficient grounds to take preventive action to maintain peace and public order.
“It has been observed that certain individuals and groups are spreading rumours and misinformation through social media platforms, which could disturb law and order,” Donk stated in the order.
Anyone found involved in creating, sharing, or forwarding fake news, messages, or rumours will face strict legal action under relevant laws, the order warned.
The DM also directed all social media group administrators to closely monitor shared content and immediately remove any posts deemed fake, misleading, or inflammatory.
“They must also enable the ‘admin-only’ message control feature on WhatsApp groups. This order has been issued ex-parte in the interest of public safety and to maintain public order,” Donk added.
Internet services had remained suspended in the district since the September 24 violence that claimed four lives and left many injured.
