Authorities in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir have begun taking action against dozens of residents accused of using virtual private networks (VPNs) after local administrations in several districts imposed restrictions on encrypted internet services, a move comes in a region long marked by separatist violence and a heavy security presence. Officials said the measures were prompted by security concerns, arguing that such tools can be used to bypass monitoring mechanisms, circulate misinformation and enable activities they describe as threats to public order and national security, adding that further action could follow for violations of the orders.