The Indian government has established a new Cyber Crime Coordination Centre in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in a fresh bid to curb freedom of expression and expand surveillance across the disputed territory.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Centre has been placed under the direct control of the Director General of Police and will function with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. 

Political observers and civil rights activists have expressed concern that the move is aimed less at combating cybercrime and more at expanding New Delhi's surveillance apparatus in the occupied territory.

They say the BJP-led regime has increasingly relied on digital surveillance, internet restrictions, social media monitoring and cyber laws to silence journalists, human rights defenders, political activists and ordinary Kashmiris who express dissent against Indian occupation.

Analysts warned that the new institution could further institutionalize restrictions on freedom of speech under the guise of cybersecurity.