Internet services partially restored in Kashmir

Srinagar: Mobile and broadband internet services were partially restored after remaining snapped for two days as a precautionary measure on the first death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani yesterday.
However, the speed of 3G and 4G mobile internet, which has been restored in selected areas, has been reduced to 2G while the broadband services have been restored only in civil lines and uptown Srinagar.
Meanwhile, internet services of all cellular companies, including BSNL broadband, remained suspended in south Kashmir for the third successive day today.
“Mobile internet services have been restored in selected areas in the valley, barring south Kashmir,” officials told UNI.
They said the decision to restore the broadband and other high speed internet services fully in entire Kashmir valley would be taken after assessing the situation today.
The internet services were suspended on Thursday night as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of any rumours on the social media. However, suspension of the facility has led to spreading of more rumours, besides badly affecting mediapersons, professionals and students in Kashmir valley.
Authorities had directed all cellular companies to suspend mobile internet services till further orders. Meanwhile, broadband internet service providers were given option to either block all social media sites, if possible or else, suspend the services.
“In view of the apprehensions of misuse of internet services by the anti-national elements, which is likely to cause deterioration of law and order situation, you are directed to block all social media sites on lease line. If it is not possible, shutdown the services in Kashmir till further orders,” directions sent to broadband service providers by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Munir Ahmad Khan read.
The curb on internet came in response to a strike called by both the factions of Hurriyat Conference (HC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on the death anniversary of Burhan, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8 last year.
Killing of Burhan triggered massive clashes, which lasted for over six months and left 100 civilians dead and thousands others injured in security force action. About 2,500 security force personnel were also injured in these clashes.