NIA takes notice of activists’ use of social media for pro-freedom voices
Srinagar: India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has taken notice of the use of social media by overseas Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders and activists to promote pro-freedom narratives on the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the National Investigation Agency, in a letter, stated that it is investigating an important matter in which it has come to its notice that several accounts on the X platform are allegedly being used by suspected individuals who may be involved in anti-India activities.
The NIA, justifying its letter, claimed that it has found several social media accounts involved in promoting militancy and provoking youth to join militant activities in occupied Kashmir.
In a letter addressed to X Corp, Trust and Safety Legal Policy, 1355 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA, the agency urged that, in the interest of the investigation, information be provided regarding secondary email addresses, phone numbers, associated connection details, IP logs to date, and details of all accounts linked with the associated email addresses or mobile numbers, if any.
Pertinently, civil society members in Jammu and Kashmir stated that this reflects a systematic policy employed by Indian authorities to silence and marginalize Kashmiri activist voices. They added that, unlike some other platforms, X has maintained a relatively stronger stance on free speech by allowing users the right to appeal. They further said that such actions have intensified following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A by the Indian BJP government, aiming to strengthen its military occupation in IIOJK and restrict activities and silence political voices of Kashmiris for resolution of Kashmir in the region.
