Srinagar: Low speed 2G internet was restored after remaining suspended for about eight hours since early Sunday morning due to security reasons in Kashmir valley, where broadband internet services remained suspended since August 5.
Meanwhile, life was on Sunday crippled due to a strike called by separatists in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley on the seventh death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was hanged in Delhi’s Tihar jail on this day in 2013.
Official sources told UNI that all cellular companies were directed to suspend internet services in the valley from 0800 hrs to 1600 hrs for security reasons.
The gag on internet, including mobile and broadband, has badly affected professionals, whose work was dependent on internet. Scores of such professionals, who work for different multi-national companies, had to shift to other parts of the country, fearing losing their jobs.
The communication network was suspended across Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, on August 5 as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours after the special status of the state was scrapped. Suspension of the communication — landline, mobile and internet — network evoked sharp
reaction, particularly from the families whose relatives were outside the valley.
It was in the last week of August that landlines were restored to subscribers connected with Barzulla and Sonawar telephone exchanges. Landlines phones of subscribers, including all media organizations, from main BSNL telephone exchange were restored only on September 5.
Meanwhile, the mobile phone service was restored on October 14 while the SMS service for BSNL started from December 31 midnight.
Following directions by the SC, the UT government restored 2G mobile internet service in the valley on pre and post paid mobile phones on January 25. However, government listed 300 white websites, including email service, banking website, education related websites, job platforms, entertainment, tour and travel and weather website. White listing of websites were later added which now stand at around 750.
Ironically, even the websites of major national newspapers and news agencies, including United News of India (UNI) and Press Trust of India (PTI), have not found their way into the white listed sites.
People alleged that restoration of 2G mobile internet service hardly makes any difference as the users are unable to even check their mails as the speed is very low. All social media sites remained suspended, the order read.
Due to suspension of internet service, journalists working for different media organizations, including News Agencies, were badly hit. However, the administration had set up a media facilitation centre at Sonawar in the city. The centre was later shifted to Directorate Information Office in Srinagar, where journalists are filing their stories to their respective media organizations.
