J&K: No 4G internet till August 19; admin cites 'anti-national activities ahead of I-Day'

In reprieve to citizens of Jammu-Kashmir, Union territory's administration extended its ban on high-speed 4G internet till August 19. Internet remains restricted to 2G speed for post-paid sim cards and verified pre-paid sim cards. administration has maintained that this move is done due to rise in anti-national activities over coming weeks in view of completing one year since revocation of Article 370 and Independence Day.

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High-speed internet in J&K

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On Tuesday, Centre told Supreme Court that it will verify reported statements made by Lt Goverr of Jammu and Kashmir and BJP leader Ram Madhav that 4G Internet service can be restored in Union Territory, and sought time to file a reply to rejoinder affidavit filed by an NGO. A bench of justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai adjourned hearing for August 7. Calls for restoration of high-speed internet services in Valley have been raised by many amid Coronavirus pandemic.

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Current internet scenario in Kashmir

Restrictions have been put on communication links since August 5 in Jammu and Kashmir as Centre abrogated Article 370 & Article 35 A which defined permanent residents of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.  se were subsequently eased after Supreme Court upheld that continued ban on internet was 'violation of freedom of expression'. Since revocation, state-run internet provider BSNL has restored internet services throughout Kashmir valley, but with a speed of 2G with special instructions. temporary ban on social media sites was removed in March, however, complaints of inaccessibility persisted.

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Consequently, administration has reviewed scenario on a monthly basis, but has repeatedly extended ban on high-speed internet. Mobile internet services were also snapped across Kashmir after killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo on May 6 and were later restored in a phased manner. Recently, Supreme Court allowed a state-led committee to decide on restoration of internet services while refusing to pass orders to restore 4G internet services in Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K administration furr extends ban on high-speed internet in Kashmir till July 8