Digital Crackdown in IIOJK: Six Kashmiris Arrested for Social Media Activities

In a move raising concerns over digital suppression, Indian authorities in IIOJK have arrested six Kashmiris for alleged social media activities—fueling debates on freedom of expression and state control.

In the latest crackdown on digital expression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Indian police, acting on directives from New Delhi-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, have arrested six individuals in Budgam district. The arrests were made on allegations of using social media to promote pro-freedom narratives.

The detainees have been identified as Hilal Ahmad Dar (Sholipora), Owais Ahmad Khan (Soibugh Daharmuna), Suhail Ahmad Sheikh (Batpora), Umar Shafi Sofi (Ompora), Mohammad Amir Khan (Ichkoot), and Shahid Mir (Sheikhpora Chatterhama). Authorities claim they were operating fake social media accounts to share content allegedly glorifying pro-freedom activities, a charge frequently used by occupation forces to justify stringent actions in the region.

Police officials have defended the arrests as part of a broader initiative to curb the misuse of social media platforms. They argue that such activities have the potential to disrupt public peace and incite unrest. Legal proceedings under preventive detention laws have been initiated against the arrested individuals, with authorities warning of strict legal consequences for those found sharing unlawful or provocative content.

Critics, however, view this crackdown as a systematic effort to suppress dissenting voices and restrict social media users who challenge the state’s official narrative. Many argue that such actions serve to silence political opposition and curtail digital freedom in an already heavily militarized region.

The growing restrictions on digital platforms in IIOJK have sparked global concern over human rights violations, with activists calling for an end to the suppression of free speech and the right to express political views online.