'Attack on cyber cafes will affect IT industry'

Attacks on cyber cafes to protest against the controversial content of websites will adversely affect the information technology (IT) industry, according to an internet service providers' body.

"The internet cafes are the only source of IT education for many people who cannot afford a personal computer at home. Attacks on cyber cafes will force many owners to shut shop. This will have an adverse effect on business and IT awareness," Association of Public Internet Access Providers (APIAP) President Ashish Saboo said.

"Due to these controversies, people will stop visiting cyber cafes. Many may even opt out of IT education. This will adversely impact the industry," the president of APIAP, a self-help group of independent cyber cafe operators, said.

His remarks came in the wake of attacks on cyber cafes in suburban Mumbai by Shiv Sainiks to protest controversial remarks regarding party chief Bal Thackeray. The comments were posted on the social networking website Orkut.

"It is a political problem. Politicians don't understand how IT works. There are enough remedies in Orkut to counter such a virtual verbal attack," Saboo said.

If there is anything offensive in the community, the message can be flagged by voicing a protest over the remark. If there are a large number of such protests posted online, the group will withdraw the comment.

"Shiv Sena itself has benefited from Orkut. It has 60 communities dedicated to the party. Only a few are voicing their protest against Shiv Sena. It should launch a virtual verbal counter-attack through the site," he said.

Saboo said the aggrieved could also approach police for help as they have dedicated cyber crime cells.

There are around two lakh cyber cafes in the country. It is the only IT-related business that can be started with a minimum investment of Rs 50,000.

The Shiv Sena agrees that attacking cyber cafes is not the solution but it is not epentant about its action of its members.

"We agree nothing will happen by attacking them. But this is sending a clear message to Orkut about our feelings on the issue. Police also have to get actively involved by blocking these sites," Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

He said the attacks were "people's spontaneous action" on demeaning content. While Sena's student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena is gathering support to post "people' opinion" online.

Police in Mumbai said such controversies were highlighting the negative aspects of Orkut though it had numerous positive sides. However, they expressed helplessness in blocking controversial sites.

"It is a deliberate attempt on the part of somebody to create disharmony. But these sites can be only blocked by the Union Information Technology Ministry. The state has hardly any power to take action," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Enforcement) Sanjay Mohite said.