The district administration Leh on Monday issued an advisory asking the admins operating social networking groups like WhatsApp and Facebook to refrain from posting or circulating ‘sensitive information.’
In an order issued under section 144 of CrPc by district magistrate Avny Lavasa with respect to the fixing responsibility on admins of social networking websites and individuals forwarding sensitive information.
The order said the district police has reported that various irresponsible messages which can hurt regional and religious sentiments are being transmitted, forwarded and circulated on social media in Leh district.
“Whereas, with due consideration to the freedom of expression there is also accountability to be associated with this freedom,” read the order.
The magistrate said, therefore, to avoid such type of activities on WhatsApp/Facebook and any other forum of social media group and for proper maintenance of Law & Order in the district I, Avny Lavasa, IAS District Magistrate, Leh invoke the powers vested in me under section 144 CrPC and order that:
1. Every social media group administrator shall register his group with SHO, Leh within two days from the issuance of this order.
2. Each Whatsapp/Facebook group admin shall report to the nearest Police station any posts or rumours being circulated which are sensitive and likely to cause public disorder. The admin shall be ready to bear responsibility and ownership of the content posted in the group. He/She shall immediately delete the said comment in addition to reporting to the nearest Police Station.
3. Each WhatsApp group admin shall immediately enable message uploading status to “only admins can send messages” from today for one week till 18/02/2019 in the first instance.