India extends a ban on high speed internet in IIOJK
The Modi-led government in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) extended on Wednesday its ban on high-speed internet in 18 of 20 districts in the region until November 12.
In an order on Wednesday, the government said the restrictions on high-speed internet were “absolutely necessary in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India”. The order said security agencies “apprehended that anti-national elements might misuse” high-speed connections “for carrying out activities inimical to the public order besides persuading the youths to join militancy.”
High-speed internet cut off last August when India canceled the semi-autonomous status of the disputed valley; divided it into two federally ruled territories and imposed a complete lockdown and communications blackout.
When the Supreme Court stepped in, the Indian government only restored mobile internet services in January; first in Hindu-dominated Jammu and then in Muslim-majority regions of Kashmir. However, only government-allowed “whitelisted” websites were accessible. Restrictions on social media remained in force until March 4.
The government restored High-speed internet on August 17 in two of the disputed region’s 20 districts; the Ganderbal district in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley and Udhampur district in the Hindu-majority Jammu. They restored it on a “trial basis”. However, in all other districts, the speed was directed to continue to be restricted to 2G only.
Hurriyat leaders, political activists, and several international organizations working for the rights of common people and journalists have demanded the restoration of 4G internet service in IIOJK; to help the residents to deal with situations caused by the COVID-19. However, the Modi government has paid no attention to the appeals and keeps on extending the ban on the service.
