SRINAGAR: Authorities in India-held Kashmir on Wednesday ordered internet service providers to block social media services, inclu­ding Face­book, Twitter and Whats­App, after an upsurge in violence in the region.

The local government said the services were “being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements” and should be blocked for one month or until further notice “in the interest of maintenance of public order”.

On Wednesday, student protesters took to the streets, clashing with government forces who used shotguns to disperse them.

Authorities say social media are being used frequently to rally crowds which then attack government forces, often by throwing rocks at them.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the valley, one of the world’s most heavily militarised spots where most people favour independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2017