New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Police believe that Pakistan is not just provoking but using social media platforms like WhatsApp to organise Kashmiri youth to pelt stones at security forces.
In a recent case registered in Srinagar, J&K police have alleged that multiple WhatsApp groups with Pakistani administrators have been put in place to organise stone pelters.
These groups allegedly provided precise location, time of an encounter that is underway and ask youngsters to reach there.
"As soon as an encounter begins, precise information about location is sent over by ground workers of Pakistan-based terror groups asking youngsters to gather at the site," a police officer told CNN-News18. Police also claim that investigation has revealed that these groups also put links on these platforms connecting youth from one area with the next.
DGP, J&K, S P Vaid told CNN-News18, “It’s a fact that social media is being misused by enemies of the country.”
In Budgam, three civilians were killed after they started pelting stones at the Army and paramilitary forces even as efforts were on to flush out a terrorists holed up in a house. About 63 CRPF men were injured in the clashes.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed to youth to not indulge in stone pelting. "If you have a grievance, please speak to the administration rather than pick up stones," she told the media after the Budgam incident.
Bipin Rawat, immediately after taking over as Army chief, had warned that civilians who prevent army from doing its job by reaching encounter sites will be dealt with a strong arm. The statement was condemned by many in the valley but such incidents, like Budgam, are making government consider stricter crowd control measures.
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