Restrictions have to be reviewed from time to time: SC to J&K govt

The Supreme Court told the Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday that while they may impose restrictions in the name of national interest, but it has to be reviewed from time to time. A three-judge bench, which was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the restrictions imposed in the state following the scrapping of its special status, was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that they were reviewing restrictions on a daily basis.

“How many days you want restrictions? It’s already 2 months now. You have to come clear on this and you have to find out other methods,” a 3 judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana asks the Government

"The restrictions are being reviewed daily. In around 99% area, no restrictions are there," Mehta, who was appearing for the state administration, told the apex court. The bench, headed by Justice N V Ramana and also comprising Justices R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai, asked Mehta about the restriction on the Internet in the state. The solicitor general told the court that restrictions on the Internet were going on as the issue has "cross border implications," suggesting Pakistan's misadventures in Kashmir.  The Supreme Court would hear the arguments on these pleas November 5.

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The top court was hearing the petition, which has raised the issue of physical restrictions and communication blockade in the state following the abrogation of provisions of Article 370.

The court had on October 16 asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to place before it orders on the basis of which communication restrictions were imposed in the state. It had questioned the administration on the delay in placing orders and notifications imposing communication the restrictions. The Supreme court had referred to media reports on mobile services been restored in the valley, to which counsel for one of the petitioners had said only postpaid mobiles were operational, but the SMS services was stopped by authorities.  

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Kashmir situation

A day after reviving postpaid mobile phone services, the Home Ministry has decided to snap text messaging services in the Kashmir valley taking cognisance of the security situation.  Republic Media Network sources have notified that the decision was taken by the Home Ministry after a meeting in the north block telecommunications. 

Mobile phones in Kashmir buzzed back to life on October 14, connecting 40 lakh postpaid subscribers to their families and friends in the country, the Valley and their neighborhoods after 72 days but without any internet facilities. Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik lifted the Home Department’s advisory on October 12 and urged the tourists to visit the valley. The valley will be welcoming tourists after 69 days. In a full-page advertisement published in local dailies this week, the state administration asked people not to be afraid of terrorist threats and resume their normal activities.

READ| Text messaging in Kashmir Valley halted again, calling operational

Ahead of the date when Union territories Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh come into existence, the J&K government on October 11 sent out invitations to all administrative secretaries to the 'appointed day' i.e October 31, 2019. The two Union territories will be formed according to the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Re-organisation Act, 2019. It also directed all the secretaries to not move out of the state during the transit period October-November 2019. It has asked all the secretaries to be present for the ceremony in Srinagar. 

(With PTI inputs)