Kupwara,Dec 29,
In view of growing security and cyber-related concerns, the District Magistrate Kupwara on Monday imposed a blanket ban on the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) services across the district for a period of two months.
In an official order DM Kupwara reads, communications have been received from Sr. Superintendent of Police, Kupwara/Handwara bearing endorsement No. CS/S-1/2025/11366, Dated: 29-12-2025 & No. CS/03/2025/9182, Dated:-29-12-2025 respectively, wherein surge in the usage of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by a significant number of suspicious internet users has been reported, it reads.
Whereas, the Sr. Superintendent of Police, Kupwara/Handwara have further apprised this office of the emergent need to take immediate preventive measures to regulate and restrict the use of VPNs in the interest of public safety, cyber security and the overall integrity of digital governance within the district, it reads.
Whereas, misuse of VPN services has the potential to be exploited for unlawful and anti-national activities, including incitement of unrest, dissemination of inflammatory or misleading content, and coordination of activities prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order thereby posing a serious threat to public order, tranquility and national security, it reads.
Now, therefore, for the reasons stated above and in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, I, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, (IAS) District Magistrate, Kupwara do hereby order suspension of all kinds of Virtual Private Network (VPN) services within the territorial jurisdiction of District Kupwara except those explicitly permitted by the Government through a specific official order, it reads.
This order shall be applicable to all individuals, institutions, cyber cafés, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating within the district
Order reads, Any person or entity found violating the provisions of this order shall be liable to be proceeded against under the relevant provisions of law. Since it is not feasible to serve prior notice of this order individually, the same is hereby issued ex-parte and shall be deemed to be addressed to the public in general.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara/Handwara shall ensure the strict enforcement of this order in letter and spirit, it reads.
This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain valid for a period of two (02) months from the date of its issuance, unless withdrawn or rescinded earlier.