The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Police in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir have registered two FIRs against individuals with alleged adverse militancy-related backgrounds for using unauthorized Virtual Private Network (VPN) services.

The action followed as part of the police’s intensified drive to enforce prohibitory orders and prevent misuse of digital platforms.

The prohibitory orders banning the use of VPN was issued by the District Administration Budgam on December 29. Acting on these directions, Budgam Police carried out systematic verification and technical monitoring between December 29 and January 2.

“During the period, 24 individuals were identified for violating these orders. Based on investigation and technical analysis, two FIRs were registered against individuals with adverse terror-related backgrounds, underscoring the security risks posed by misuse of encrypted platforms,” a police statement said.

It stated, “Additionally, security proceedings were initiated against 11 individuals, aged between 18 and 40 years, for non-compliance with the prohibitory orders. They were bound down under Sections 126/170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and later released after due warning.”

In the last few days, J&K Police have initiated action against more than 100 people, including teenagers, in several districts of the valley for violating prohibitory orders on the use of VPN services.

Grocery shopping used to take mental energy. You had to remember what was running out, decide when you could step out and hope you had the patience to deal with crowds. Some days, it felt manageable. On other days, it felt like too much. Slowly, without making noise about it, things changed. A grocery delivery app slipped into daily life and made shopping feel lighter, almost invisible.

When Everyday Life Got Too Full

Life today is rarely neat. Work runs late, plans change and energy does not always cooperate. There are days when the idea of stepping outside just to buy basics feels exhausting. That is when convenience stops being about speed and starts being about relief. Fast delivery online shopping means groceries arrive even on days when you are tired, distracted or simply not in the mood to go out. It meets you where you are.

Learning To Trust Someone Else With Your Food

Many people were unsure in the beginning. Vegetables are personal and everyone has their own way of choosing them. Handing that responsibility to someone else felt uncomfortable. But over time, trust built naturally. A good grocery delivery app shows what is actually available, updates stock honestly and delivers produce that looks and feels fresh. After a few good experiences, the worry fades and convenience takes its place.

The Quiet Help In Everyday Moments

The real beauty of instant grocery delivery is not in big orders. It is in small, ordinary moments. Realising you are out of milk at night. Remembering you need fruit for the morning. Being halfway through cooking and missing one ingredient. Earlier, these moments caused frustration. Now, fast delivery online shopping quietly steps in and solves the problem without disrupting your day. It feels like support, not service.

Shopping At Your Own Pace

Physical grocery stores can feel overwhelming, especially after a long day. The noise, the queues and the rush drain energy. Online shopping changes the pace completely. You browse calmly, take your time and reorder what you already know works for you. A familiar grocery delivery app remembers your regular items, which reduces effort and decision-making. Shopping becomes simple, not tiring.

Why This Shift Feels So Natural

This change is not about technology alone. It reflects how people want life to feel now. Easier. Kinder. More flexible. Fast delivery online shopping gives you back your time and calmness. It really helps you focus on cooking, or relax, rather than being busy with errands.

Grocery shopping has evolved because our lives have. Having essentials reach your doorstep in minutes feels comforting, not futuristic. It blends into your routine quietly. And once groceries start arriving exactly when you need them, shopping simply takes care of itself.

SRINAGAR — Authorities in the Budgam, Pulwama and Kulgam districts of the Kashmir Valley have moved to restrict Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, citing concerns that the encrypted digital tools are being used to circumvent security monitoring and coordinate activities "prejudicial to law and order."

The District Administration of Budgam issued a formal order on Monday, suspending all VPN services on mobile devices for a period of two months. The directive, issued by District Magistrate Budgam under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, followed a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) highlighting an "unprecedented rise" in VPN usage in recent days.

According to the official order, authorities observed that a significant number of internet users were accessing VPN platforms to conceal IP addresses and bypass website restrictions. Officials stated these capabilities could be exploited to incite unrest, circulate inflammatory content, or coordinate unlawful activities.

“Encrypted communication may expose sensitive information to cyber threats, thereby posing risks to data and information security,” the Budgam administration noted in the directive.

The Budgam suspension is effective immediately and will remain in force for 60 days unless withdrawn earlier. Because the order was passed ex-parte, it applies to the general public without individual notice.

Pulwama Police issued a similar alert to citizens, announcing that the District Magistrate of Pulwama had restricted VPN services across the district with immediate effect.

Pulwama officials described the measure as a preventive step aimed at maintaining public safety and cybersecurity. Police requested full cooperation from residents and warned that any violation of the restrictions would invite "strict legal action under applicable laws."

Law enforcement in both districts has been instructed to ensure the implementation of the orders "in letter and spirit." The directives have been publicized through district websites, local newspapers, and official notice boards.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam imposed the VPN ban with immediate effect in the interest of maintaining public order and ensuring security. The order notes that the potential misuse of VPN services could hinder lawful monitoring and pose risks to public safety, according to Kulgam Police.

Police have urged residents to strictly comply with the directive and cooperate with the district administration. Authorities warned that any violation of the order will invite strict legal action under relevant laws.

The police appealed to the public for cooperation in maintaining peace and security in the district.

The measures represent a broadening effort by local authorities to regulate the digital space, as similar restrictions were also recently reported in the districts of Kupwara and Shopian.