Srinagar, July 10: The administrators of 21 WhatsApp groups in Kishtwar district were issued notice by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday for not registerging themselves with the local district within the 10-day deadline earlier given by the district magistrate.

On June 29, Kishtwar District Magistrate Angrez Singh Rana had issued an order asking all administrators of 21 WhatsApp groups in the district to seek registration with his office within 10 days. Rana had also wanred legal action for their failure to get themselves registered.

The order was issued after Kishtwar SSP Abrar Chowdhary stated in a report that WhatsApp groups were “circulating rumours, false information and unconfirmed or baked information”.

“While the freedom of expression through social media is important, the same comes with a responsibility and reasonable restrictions. Therefore, social media group administrators with the ownership of the groups should be ready to bear this responsibility," the DM's order said.

The order not only asked WhatsApp group admins to register themselves but also to provide details of all group members, including those living abroad. “Legal action is being taken against one of them who happens to be a local PDP leader for not taking action against one of his member who uploaded provocative material relating to militancy,” the DM told Indian Express.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2018 09:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).