Asif Iqbal Naik
Regulation of Un-registered Online News PortalsSocial Media Platforms in District Kishtwar.
Kishtwar, December 29, 2025: In the wake of the recent incident in Pullar area of Nagsini Tehsil and its alleged misrepresentation on certain online news portals and social media platforms, the District Magistrate, Kishtwar, Sh. Pankaj Kumar Sharma (JKAS), has issued a strict order regulating the functioning of unregistered online news portals and social media news handlers in the district.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, follows reports that some unregistered news portals and social media handlers portrayed a local dispute as a communal issue between Hindu and Muslim communities, allegedly with an intent to give the incident a communal colour.
Official sources, however, clarified that the incident in Pullar was purely a local dispute related to the cutting of trees and had no communal angle whatsoever. Authorities observed that the misleading portrayal of the incident had the potential to disturb communal harmony and public order in the sensitive region.
Taking serious note of the matter, the District Magistrate observed that there has been a mushrooming of unregistered online news portals and self-styled media persons operating without any formal registration, verification, or accountability. Such platforms, it was noted, often publish news and current affairs content without adherence to journalistic standards of authenticity, creating scope for misinformation, misrepresentation, and public disorder.
The order makes reference to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. As per these rules, publishers of online news and current affairs content are mandatorily required to comply with the prescribed Code of Ethics.
The District Magistrate has directed that:
• All unregistered online news portals, self-styled media persons, and social media news handles operating in District Kishtwar shall strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021.
• No unregistered or unauthorized platform shall publish or circulate news or current affairs content without complying with the statutory framework in force.
• Circulation of objectionable, misleading, or inflammatory content, especially content capable of disturbing communal harmony and public peace, is strictly prohibited.
• Cyber café operators have been instructed to verify identity proofs of users and maintain proper records as per norms.
Further, the District Information Officer, Kishtwar, has been tasked with furnishing a verified list of all registered and unregistered news portals, media organizations, and social media news handles functioning in the district within seven days.
The order has been passed ex-parte under Section 163(2) of BNSS, 2023, citing the urgency of the situation, and shall remain in force for a period of two months with immediate effect. Any violation will attract action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other applicable laws.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, has been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the order.
Officials emphasized that the action is aimed at preventing the spread of misinformation, discouraging the communalization of local issues, and ensuring responsible use of digital media in the larger interest of peace, harmony, and public order in the district.
Meanwhile, Kishtwar Police have registered FIR No. 262/25 in connection with the Pullar incident under Sections 125, 125(a) and 191(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Section 125 BNS pertains to acts endangering public peace and tranquility, while Section 125(a) deals with actions intended to promote enmity, disharmony, or hatred between different groups on grounds such as religion or community. Section 191(2) BNS relates to the deliberate dissemination of false information or statements with the intent to cause public disorder or incite fear among the public.
Police have also detained several individuals for questioning in this regard. Officials stated that the investigation is underway to identify those responsible for misrepresenting the incident and attempting to give it a communal colour, as well as those involved in circulating misleading and inflammatory content on social media platforms. Authorities have reiterated that stringent legal action will be taken against any person found guilty of disturbing public peace and communal harmony.
