A circular has been issued in Jammu and Kashmir by the District Magistrate of Kupwara that mandates the registration of WhatsApp news groups.

The aim of this regulation is to curb the alleged spread of rumours on groups.

The circular calls for every group to be registered with the District Magistrate. The registered groups will also be monitored by the authority for any acts of provocation and scrutinised. Also, the Group Administrators will be held accountable under law for any such conduct resulting in incidents.