The Home Department of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday (12th November, 2020) passed another order, extending the restrictions on internet speed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir till November 26, 2020.
As per the order issued, the ban is necessary to prevent terrorist and separatist elements from disrupting the elections for District Development Constituencies, Panchayti Raj and Urban Local Bodies.
Except two districts, Ganderbal and Udhampur, the residents of UT will have access to only 2G mobile Internet services.
In view of this, the Government directed:
- The High speed mobile data services in the districts of Ganderbal and Udhampur shall continue to be made available, while in rest of the districts, the internet speed be restricted to 2G only.
- While the post paid sim card holders shall continue to be provided access to the internet, these services shall not be made available on pre-paid cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for post paid connections.
- Internet connectivity, without any speed related restrictions, shall continue to be made available with Mac-binding.
During the last fortnight, there also have been targeted killing of the civilians/ political activists, that manifest the nefarious design of the terrorists to dissuade general public from participating in the election process. Such unlawful acts heavily rely upon high speed mobile internet connectivity and are required to be thwarted by taking appropriate pre-emptive measures, the order stated.
