After 3-day ban, Internet services restored in J&K

Internet services in Jammu and Kashmir were fully restored on Monday, three days after the state government ordered the termination of data services fearing trouble during Eid-ul Azha, popularly known as Bakri Eid.

While the landline broadband services in the state resumed at 8 pm on Sunday, mobile data services were restored at 10 am on Monday.

"The ban on the Internet has been revoked in the state and all the service providers have been asked to resume their data services," said a police officer.

The Internet services were snapped in the state at 5 am on Friday last, as the authorities apprehended misuse by anti-social elements. The ban was to remain effective till 10 pm on Saturday. However, it was extended first till 2 pm on Sunday and then till 8 pm on Monday in case of landline broadband and 10 am in case of mobile Internet.

The measure was taken because of the apprehension of communal tension in the backdrop of the high court directive for implementation of an old law that bans the slaughter and selling of beef.

Terming the ban as an “interference in religious affairs”, some separatist and religious groups have said that they would defy the court order. The step by the authorities was aimed at thwarting the designs of elements that may violate the court order and as a mark of protest, post the pictures or videos on social media that may spark communal tension.

The state government's move was widely criticised by the opposition parties.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah had said, “The irony of listening to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi lecturing about the connected ‘Digital India’ while we are totally disconnected.”

“The Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party regime is pushing people of the state to the wall,” he added. He also mentioned that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was living up to his promise of making Jammu and Kashmir like Gujarat. “He had promised to make the state like Gujarat. Now, I guess, we are competing with Gujarat as to who bans the Internet more,” he said.

Police had warned ‘mischievous elements’ of legal action against misuse of the services like SMS and WhatsApp to stoke communal tension

Misuse of SMS and Internet messaging service to spread malicious rumours with an intention to stoke communal tension and violent activity constitutes commission of offences under the various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, the Information Technology Act and Ranbir Penal Code.

“Anyone who forwards such messages (including audio, photos or videos) to other individuals or groups shall be liable for legal action under the law,” police had said.

Image: Representation picture