Jammu, November 30 (IANS). Authorities in the Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their apprehension over the misuse of technology by anti-social elements for illegal activities. In this order, the administration ordered to suspend Virtual Private Network (VPN) services for two months. On Sunday, Poonch became the second border district in Jammu division where VPN services were suspended. Earlier, a similar order was issued in Rajouri for the past two days. Poonch District Magistrate Ashok Kumar Sharma ordered suspension of VPN services with immediate effect under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (CISC). The order issued by the district magistrate said that the senior superintendent of police informed that there was unprecedented excessive use of VPN by suspicious internet users at various places in the district in the last few days. The command states that VPN traffic is encrypted. Hides IP addresses, making sensitive data vulnerable to cyber attacks. The District Magistrate said that in view of the current situation, anti-social elements can use VPN services to create an atmosphere of fear. The order said that this direction will be applicable to all persons, institutions, cyber cafes and internet service providers operating in the district and any person violating it will be subject to penal action under section 223 of the Indian Judicial Code (IJC). The DM directed the SSP to ensure that the order is followed in letter and spirit. Rajouri District Magistrate Abhishek Sharma on Friday immediately suspended all VPN services in the border district for two months, citing concerns over public safety and possible misuse of such platforms for illegal activities. Rajouri SSP Gaurav Sikarwar in his letter to the civic administration pointed out the unprecedented and suspicious use of VPN services in various areas of the district. The order of the DM in Rajouri reiterated that a large number of suspicious internet users are using VPNs by hiding IP addresses and transferring encrypted data. –IANS MS/VC Share this story Tags