Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Government has extended 2G mobile internet services (on post-paid and verified pre-paid sim cards) in the Union Territory till April 15.
Principal Secretary to Government, Home Department, Shaleen Kabra in an official order said that data is “being misused for incitement, including circulation of fake news and the directions/restrictions contained in Government Order No 21(1.01S) of 2020 dated 26.03.2020 shall continue till April 15”.
The government further said that “the internet speed restrictions have, while enabling access to essential services and sites, not posed any hindrance to COVID-19 control measures or to access online educational content, but checked the unfettered misuse of social media for incitement and propagating/coordinating terror activities”.
The government also said that the recent changes “in the domicile law in J&K too has the potential to be exploited by those inimical to public peace and tranquility and cause large scale violence and disturb public order.”
Kabra further said that they have found that social media is misused for “incitement and propagating /coordinating terror activities”.
Internet services along with mobile and fixed land line telephony were suspended in Kashmir on August 4 last year.
From the past few weeks, people and other political leaders had asked UT and GoI to restore 4G internet in Jammu and Kashmir keeping in view the present situation.
