Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration today lifted ban on social media platforms after seven months since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year.
According to the order issued by Principal Secretary, Home Department, Shaleen Kabra people can be allowed to unrestricted internet access with 2G speed.
The government has also allowed access to all sites on 2G mobile data services and fixed-line internet in the Union Territory till March 17.
Earlier, only access to white-listed sites was allowed after the services were restored for a week on January 25 and subsequently extended from time to time. Close to 1,600 websites (mostly related to education, banking, business and government) were allowed to be accessed in J&K.
The internet facility was snapped across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 last year, the day when Centre abrogated the special status to the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two union territories.
The fresh order was issued by Principal Secretary, Home, Shaleen Kabra after assessment of the impact of telecom services regulation on the overall security situation and maintenance of public order and reports of law enforcement agencies.
The order will be applicable only till March 17.
As regards service to pre-paid SIMs card, the service providers have been asked to provide access only after SIMs are “verified as per norms applicable to post-paid connections.”
“While the postpaid SIM card holders shall continue to be provided access to the internet, these services shall not be made available on pre-paid sim cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for post-paid connections,” the order reads.
As regards fixed line connectivity, the order says that internet connectivity shall continue to be made available with Mac-binding.
“It is further directed that the access/communication facilities provided by the Government viz; e-terminals/internet kiosks apart from special arrangements for tourists, students, traders etc. shall continue.”
The inspector generals of police, Kashmir and Jammu, would ensure communication of these directions to the service providers forthwith and ensure implementation of the directions with immediate effect, the order said. “The aforesaid directions shall remain in force upto 17th March, 2020, unless modified earlier,” it added.
