Jammu and Kashmir: After 5 months and 20 days 2G internet services restored in the valley, only 301 websites will be able to access
- Jammu and Kashmir administration had earlier partially restored internet services for seven days from January 15.
- The administration had taken this decision when on January 10, the Supreme Court asked the government to review the ban.
SRINAGAR: After banning internet for 5 months and 20 days, people of Kashmir Valley will be able to access 2G mobile services from Saturday. The Jammu and Kashmir administration restored it from midnight on 25 January. However, they will be able to access only 301 websites approved by the administration. According to the notification, mobile 2G Internet services were started from 25 January. Earlier, on 15 January, the administration decided to partially restore internet and broadband services.2G internet connectivity was introduced on postpaid mobiles for just 7 days in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi.
According to the notification, people in the valley will not have access to social media sites. The websites that have been approved include search engines and banking, education, news, travel, facilities and employment. Data facility will be available on postpaid and prepaid SIM cards. 2G Internet service on mobile phones will be restored till 31 January and will be reviewed thereafter.
Decision taken after report received from security agencies
According to government sources, it was decided to revive the internet services by the administration after reports from security agencies and conditions became normal. These services were suspended from August 5, after which many organizations in the state protested. The government said that as a precautionary internet services were banned to prevent inflows.
The Supreme Court had asked the government to review the Internet restrictions
On January 10, the Supreme Court gave a ruling on the prohibition on Kashmir from 5 months and 4 days on the Internet and Section-144 applicable there. In this, the court said that Internet is a fundamental right of the people under Article 19 of the Constitution. That is, it is as important as the right to live. The internet cannot be closed indefinitely. The court also directed the government to review all restrictions within 7 days and make its order public.Internet services were discontinued in Jammu and Kashmir after the removal of Article 370 on 5 August last year.
