False Claim surrounding the Abrogation of Article 370 goes viral

A claim has been widely circulated, majorly by accounts running from the Pakistan. The social media users have claimed , “Since the abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir has faced severe security crackdowns, mass detentions, and restrictions on free speech, intensifying local resentment.” Along with the claim, an image is also shared and claimed to be as recent.

Following this, others also shared the similar claims.

Fact Check

We investigated the viral claim along with the image shared. Firstly, we cross checked the image and found that it belongs from the year 2010. Thus the image is not associated with any recent event.

Secondly we investigated the viral claim. During the process, we found the claim to be misleading as well. According to media reports, The number of active militants has plunged from 250 at the end of 2019 to ‘little above 100’ towards the end of 2022, scroll reported citing official figures. (The First Post)

Furtehrmore, statistics shows there has been a reduction in Internet shutdowns and local participation in Militancy attacks as well. The number of locals recruited by militants has also come down. From 206 in 2018 and 143 in 2019, only 100 Kashmiri youth joined militant groups last year. Less than 12 locals joined militancy till July end of this year, reported Deccan Herald (DH).

Conclusion

Thus from the fact check, it clear that the viral claim is misleading. There has been a reduction in Internet shutdowns and local participation in Militancy attacks in Kashmir.
DFRAC Analysis: Misleading