Srinagar : Amid gossips over restoration of internet services in Kashmir Valley after January 26,authorities on Friday ruled out such rumors and termed it “baseless”.
Sources told that government of Jammu and Kashmir is keenly monitoring overall situation of J&K particularly the security scenario since August 5, 2019. They said internet service was snapped for the larger benefit of society so that lives of common people could be saved.
A senior official of the administration, wishing not to be named, said “Had internet services not snapped in Valley after abrogation of Article 370, handlers of militants and anti-peace elements would have taken undue advantage of it resulting loss of human lives”.
Terming the clampdown of internet services “indispensible” after New Delhi took susceptible decisions on August 5 last year, official said “the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir from last six months is “peaceful” and “under control”.
He said authorities have already restored landline, mobile calling and short message services (SMS) in Jammu and Kashmir in order to ease sufferings of people.
When asked whether government is mulling to restore internet services in J&K which has remained shut for last six months, official denied and said “speculations rounding in this regard are unfounded”.
He added elements inimical to peace are leaving no stone unturned to trigger violence in Jammu and Kashmir by using social media. “If restrictions will be eased over internet services, handlers of militants stationed on the other side of Line of Control (LoC) will surely disturb peace in J&K”, and adding, “Let it be as it is so that lives of common people be saved and peace be prevailed”.
It is pertinent to mention that Union Minister for Communications, Law & Justice, Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday asserted that internet services in Kashmir Valley to be restored in phased manner. The minister who arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday replied in a query during his visit to north Kashmir where he inaugurated Sports stadium and interacted with several delegations.
( Inputs from JKNS)
