The District Magistrate Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana, has given a ten-day ultimatum to WhatsApp news group admins to get their groups registered with his office or face action, Early Times reported.

Rana took the step after SSP Kishtwar Abrar Choudhary brought into his notice that a large number of WhatsApp news groups are spreading rumours in the district which may prove detrimental to the law and order situation, the report said.

“While the freedom of expression through social media is important but the same comes with responsibility and reasonable restrictions. Therefore, social media group administrator with the ownership of the group should be ready to bear the responsibility,” the DM said in his order issued on Friday.

The order said that each WhatsApp group admin shall register his group with incharge district NIC officer Kishtwar within ten days. The order further reads that each WhatsApp group admin shall furnish an undertaking that whatsoever is uploaded in his/her group by him/her or any of the group participants, he/she shall be personally responsible for the same.

The individuals indicating to form WhatsApp news/other group shall submit a declaration in the enclosed proforma to the District NIC officer along with his application for registration.

In case of violation of the order, each offender, the admin of WhatsApp group or any member of the group, shall be liable for action under relevant provision of law including that provided under the Information Technology act, Ranbir Panel Code, Cyber Crime Law, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and any other law in force at the time of violation, the report added.