Jammu/Kishtwar, April 8, 2026: In a major step to strengthen cyber security and maintain public order, the District Magistrate of Kishtwar has imposed an immediate ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across the district.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, cites credible intelligence suggesting that some individuals and groups have been misusing VPNs to bypass legal cyber restrictions and access prohibited digital platforms.
Authorities warned that such misuse poses serious risks to public peace, national security, and the integrity of governance. Officials expressed concern that VPN misuse could enable the spread of inflammatory content, incite unrest, and facilitate unlawful coordination.
District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Sharma stated that the prohibition is a preventive measure to curb potential misuse of digital technologies that could disrupt law and order in the region.
The ban applies to all individuals, institutions, cyber cafés, business establishments, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) within Kishtwar. Exceptions will be granted only if explicitly authorized by the government through an official order.
Officials have cautioned that violations will attract strict legal action under relevant laws. The prohibition will remain in effect for two months from the date of issuance unless modified or withdrawn earlier.
To ensure enforcement, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, has been directed to implement the order across the district. As individual notices cannot be served to all, the directive has been issued ex-parte and widely publicized via official channels, including government websites, notice boards, and media platforms.
The administration has urged the public to comply with the order to maintain peace, security, and lawful digital practices in the district. (Agency)
