Broadband Internet services resume in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: The internet services on broadband were restored on Sunday night in Jammu and Kashmir, two days after the state government had ordered termination of data services fearing trouble during the Eid al-Adha.

However, the ban on internet services on mobile phones will be lifted tomorrow morning.

"The ban has been partially revoked and broadband services of BSNL are now working in the state," a police officer said.

He said the mobile Internet services would be restored in the morning tomorrow.

A BSNL employee said the service provider has received the orders to lift the ban on broadband. "We have resumed the services and the broadband internet is now working," he said.

The ban was to be lifted this morning, but the government extended it, saying it apprehended misuse by anti-social elements to create communal tension.

The measure was taken because of apprehension of communal tension in the backdrop of the High Court directive for implementation of an old law that bans slaughter and selling of beef. Some separatist groups have said they will defy the court order.

The step was also aimed at thwarting mischievous elements who may violate the court order and, as a mark of protest, post the pictures on social media that may spark communal tension.

The state government's move was widely criticised by opposition parties.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said,"The irony of listening to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi lecturing about connected digital India while we are totally disconnected."

"The PDP-BJP regime is pushing people of the state to the wall," he said.

Abdullah said that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was living up to his promise of making the state like Gujarat.

"He had promised to make the state like Gujarat. Now, I guess, we are competing with Gujarat as to who bans the internet more," he said.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) SJM Gillani had said the broadband services would be resumed tonight and the mobile internet services would be restored tomorrow.

"The ban on internet services has been extended as a precautionary measure. The broadband services will now resume at 8 pm today while the mobile internet services at 10 am tomorrow," Gillani had told PTI.

Similar instructions were issued to mobile operators in Jammu region.

The ban, which was first imposed on the morning of Eid-ul-Azha on Friday, was extended this afternoon ? the second such extension.

The state government had ordered termination of data

services from 5 am on Friday till 10 pm on Saturday, which was extended till today.

Some separatist groups had vowed to defy the court order.

On the other hand, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had threatened to impose an economic blockade on Kashmir Valley if the High Court decision was challenged and bovine animals were slaughtered in the Valley.

Though the Eid remained largely peaceful, police have also warned of legal action against misuse of the services like SMS and WhatsApp to stoke communal tension.

"Misuse of mobile phone SMS and Internet messaging service to spread malicious rumours with an intention to stoke communal tension and violent activity constitutes commission of offences under the various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prev) Act 1967, the Information Technology Act and Ranbir Penal Code.

"Anyone who forwards such messages (including audio, photos or videos) to other individuals or groups shall be liable for legal action under law," police said.