Kashmir: Internet services remain suspended for second day

Only Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) mobile phone service was functioning in the valley, where clashes between protestors and security forces were reported on Wednesday at various places.

Official sources said that mobile internet services of all cellular companies, including BSNL, remained suspended since Wednesday morning as a precautionary measure.

“Barring BSNL, mobile phone service of other telecom operators also remained suspended in the valley,” they said.

In a major success, security forces on Wednesday killed Naikoo besides three other militants in two separate encounters which ensued after security forces launched Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

Fearing deterioration of law and order situation, authorities suspended mobile phone and internet services in the valley, where reports of clashes were coming from some areas, including downtown Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir government, in the last week of January, lifted a six-month long ban on mobile internet. However, only 2G services were restored, creating problem for those who might want to attend classes or study online.

Meanwhile, the gag on high speed internet was on April 27 extended through an order issued by J&K administration, crushing the hopes of students, who were keen on availing online classes to cover the academic losses due to the lockdown.

Mobile internet and broadband service of all Cellular companies was suspended in the Kashmir valley on August 5, 2019, when the Centre scrapped Article 370 and 35 A besides divided the state into two Union Territories (UTs).

Only 2G mobile internet service was resumed on January 25 though social media sites remained banned and government had directed people to assess only whitelisted sites.

In the first week of March, broadband internet services of all cellular companies, including state-run BSNL, was restored after remaining suspended for over seven months while gag on social media was also lifted. But, the gag on high speed internet continued.