On June 27, two drones flying over the skies of Indian Air Force at Jammu suddenly landed at the roof top of a building and another in an open area. The rooftop was partially damaged after the low intensity explosive laden drone exploded in the technical area of IAF. The other one landed and exploded in an open area causing no damage at all. The IAF took it as a serious security lapse and sounded a high alert across its places in the region.
“Two low intensity explosions were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station. One caused minor damage to the roof of a building while the other exploded in an open area.” the IAF tweeted.
Few days later, the Rajouri district that shares its borders with Pakistan imposed the blanket ban over the use of drones. The order issued by the deputy commissioner reads: “District Magistrate Rajouri in exercise of powers vested to me under section 144 Crpc, impose a ban, restrictions/ on the storage, sale, possession, use and transport of any drone or small flying objects/flying toys in the district.
He has further directed the people possessing any such object to handover it to the law enforcing agencies against a receipt.
“Those having already the drone cameras/flying objects or toys or like objects in their possession shall get the same deposited with the local police station against proper receipt,” the order states.
The ban was further extended in Kathua district where India shares its international border with Pakistan and often face challenges in maintaining the sanctity of borders. The tunneling to infiltrate from the Pakistan side is one of the major challenges that Border Security Forces face in Kathua district.
One by one most of the districts in Jammu and Kashmir have imposed the ban over the use of drones. From Kathua to Kupwara, the last district of North Kashmir, drones are banned in Kashmir.
The government agencies, however, are exempted from the ban using drones for mapping, surveying and surveillance. The agencies, however, have to inform the local police station and executive magistrate in advance. While the officials are defending the order in the security interests of the country, the content creators and bloggers in Kashmir seem a bit disappointed.
“It should not have been a blanket ban in the first place,” said Miyan Imad, a content creator from Lal Bazar Srinagar.
Imad has a youtube channel (Imad Clicks) with nearly 70000 followers and millions of views to its videos.
Following the ban over the use of drones, he is mulling to quit the profession.
Imad was a management student working in Dubai. According to him he returned to Kashmir in 2018 after seeing VlOGS on youtube by content creators and felt that Kashmir has much more to show than any other country in the world.
“My content was standing out and had global viewers. That was all by using drone footage. Since it has been banned now, I am not sure if my videos may click on youtube.”
Imad has travelled to the virgin places of Kashmir and showcased its beauty to the global audience.
“If the vloggers are allowed to travel freely and use the technology, the government needs no efforts to promote Kashmir. We have platforms, technology available. We can do it not only to promote tourism but also generate employment opportunities for our creative youths,” said another vlogger, who wsihes no to be named.
Over the years with an instant growth of social media and the monetary benefits, scores of youth in Kashmir have switched over to content creation. Not only are they making money to survive, they also promote tourism and culture. Some of them have even moved to the next step and have set up professional studios given the success in their endeavors.
“We urge the government to keep a small room for us so that we continue to work. Rest, we appreciate all the measures that protect the sovereignty of the country,” he added.
After several months, J&K’s Covid19 numbers has recorded lowest figure in a row, less than 200 cases which is a sign that the UT administration has managed to conquer the second wave of the devastating disease.
