The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday ordered the restoration of high-speed 4G Internet in Ganderbal district of Kashmir division and Udhampur district of Jammu region forthwith, on a trial basis till September 8.
However, the Internet speed will continue to be restricted to 2G only in the rest of the 18 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision has been taken days after the Central Government had told the Supreme Court that a special committee looking into the issue of internet restoration in Jammu and Kashmir was considering allowing 4G internet access on a trial basis in the Union Territory.
“In the context of the conclusions drawn and the parameters laid down by the Special Committee for considering calibrated easing of restrictions in limited and comparatively less sensitive geographical areas, the law enforcement agencies while furnishing fresh inputs relating to the present security scenario in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir have identified the districts of Ganderbal (Kashmir division) and Udhampur (Jammu division) for lifting the restrictions on high-speed mobile Internet connectivity on a trial basis. These recommendations are found to be in conformity with the law laid down as also the conditions set by the Special Committee,” said Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Home Department, in an order.
Kabra asked the Inspector Generals of Police of Kashmir and Jammu to ensure communication of these directions to the service providers with immediate effect.
In its submission, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that “carefully calibrated easing of internet restrictions, subject to strict monitoring in certain areas, could be done on a trial basis in selected areas. However, it will not be in any area adjoining the International Border or the Line of Control. The 4G internet restoration will only be done in areas that have low-intensity of terrorist activities.”
Pertinently, high-speed internet services were snapped across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on August 4, 2019, hours before the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. Slow-speed (2G) internet was restored in January.
On May 11, the Supreme Court ordered setting up of a special committee headed by the Union Home Secretary to consider pleas for restoration of 4G Internet services.
On July 21, the Centre, in an affidavit, told the Apex Court that the special panel constituted on its directions, has decided against any relaxations for now. -TNS
