Chinar Corps’ accounts were blocked on Jan 28, two days after Republic Day
It’s nearly a week now that the service providers have blocked the Indian Army’s Facebook and Instagram handles of Srinagar-headquartered 15 Corps. The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army is responsible for guarding the Line of Control and anti-terror operations in mainland Kashmir.
The account handles were blocked as they were used extensively to showcase the Republic Day celebrations, the security establishments alleged.
The Army is awaiting a response from Facebook and Instagram after their handles were blocked, but surprisingly the US social media platforms did not respond to them.
The two handles were created by the strategically important 15 Corps to counter and negate propaganda unleashed from across the border and to apprise the people of the real situation in the Kashmir Valley.
“A link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed”, read the messages on both Facebook as well as Instagram pages of the Chinar Corps, a popular name of 15 Corps.
The social media handles of the Chinar Corps have a significant number of local followers. The Facebook page has 24,399 followers while the Instagram page has 43,410 followers.
Sources said that the account of the Indian Army was blocked on January 28, two days after India celebrated Republic Day posted how the locals took part in the celebration.
A senior Indian Army officer said: “We have informed the establishment which has reached out to them. We are still waiting for their response.”
Sources said that the blocking might have taken place due to unexpected mass complaints from Pakistan but also stated: “how any country stops others from celebrations”.
The social media platforms in India are under scanner for various reasons. Last year, India’s apex court had upheld Delhi Assembly’s Committee on Peace and Harmony summons to Facebook to appear before its committees on grounds of its privilege.
The Supreme Court held that digital platforms like Facebook have become power centres that have the ability to influence opinions. The court said they thus will have to remain accountable.
[With Inputs from IANS]
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