Srinagar: The government on Wednesday extended ban on high speed internet in JK till June 17.
“I, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, being satisfied that, it is absolutely necessary to do so in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the Security of the State and for maintaining public order, hereby order that the directions/restrictions shall continue to remain in force till 17th June, 2020, unless modified earlier,” reads the new order.
“The reports suggest rise in the infiltration of (militant) during the coming weeks due to the onset of summer and melting of snow, which gets facilitated through use of Voice on Internet Protocol (VOIP) and encrypted mobile communication, being used by the operatives/anti-national elements to communicate with their handlers from across the border,” Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary Home Department said and ordered the continuation of ban on high-speed internet till June 17.
He said from May 12 till date, the mobile internet services and even mobile cellular services (voice and SMS) had to be suspended, although for limited periods of time and in specific areas, in view of a number of encounters and militant incidents including Nawakadal, a highly populated residential area of downtown Srinagar, where restrictions had to be imposed for three days due to likelihood of “misuse of the data services by the anti-national elements for mobilizing the crowds and creating law and order situation.”
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