Mobile internet remain suspended in Kashmir

Srinagar/ April, 17: To prevent spread of rumors mobile internet service of all cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, remain suspended for the second day Tuesday in Kashmir valley.
The service was suspended as a precautionary measure in view of an upward spiral in protests by students against use of alleged disproportionate force by security forces on students in Degree College Pulwama on April 16 in which over 60 students, including girls were injured.
However, broadband internet service of BSNL and other local service providers were functioning normally though with very low speed.
The authorities had directed all cellular companies to suspend mobile internet service in the Valley to prevent spread of any rumour on social media.
Suspension of the facility has led to spread of more rumours. The worst hit are media persons, students and other professionals.
The mobile internet service was resumed only on April 13 in the Valley after remaining suspended since April 8 midnight in the wake of strike call by separatists against bypolls in Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha.
The clashes during bypolls to Srinagar parliamentary constituency left eight civilians dead and 150 others, including 100 security force personnel, injured. Following deterioration of situation and apprehension of more trouble, the Election Commission deferred bypolls to Anantnag parliamentary constituency.
Since violence hit the Valley after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year, the broadband internet and mobile phone service were suspended thrice prior to this gag for around 25 days.
For around a month, the only mobile service functional in the Valley was BSNL while pre-paid services of all cellular companies were restored after a span of three months on October 15 last year.
The mobile internet service for post-paid connections was restored on November 19 last year after a gap of about five months. Similarly, mobile internet services for prepaid connections were restored in Kashmir on January 27, six months after they were suspended.
The telecast of news on local cable channels in the Valley remained banned since 2010, when there were massive protest during which more than 120 people, mostly youths, were killed in security force and police firing in the Valley.
The authorities had also directed bureaucrats and other officers not to participate in any political debate on local cable channels.