Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Internet services were fully restored today in Jammu and Kashmir, three days after the government terminated data services fearing trouble during the festival of Eid-ul-Azha.
Though landline broadband services resumed at 8 PM yesterday, mobile data services were restored at 10 AM this morning.
"The ban on Internet has been revoked in the state and all service providers have been asked to resume their data services," a police officer said.
Earlier on Friday morning, the Internet services were snapped in the state as the state government apprehended misuse by anti-social elements. The ban was to remain effective till 10 PM on Saturday, but was extended later.
The precaution was taken because of apprehension of communal tension in the backdrop of the High Court directive for implementation of an old law that bans slaughter and selling of beef. This was aimed at thwarting any design of elements to post pictures or videos on social media that may spark communal tension.
The police had warned "mischievous elements" of legal action against misuse of the services like SMS and WhatsApp.
"Misuse of mobile phone SMS and Internet messaging service to spread malicious rumours with an intention to stoke communal tension and violent activity constitutes commission of offences under the various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prev) Act 1967, the Information Technology Act and Ranbir Penal Code... Anyone who forwards such messages (including audio, photos or videos) to other individuals or groups shall be liable for legal action under law," police had said.
The government's move was widely criticised by opposition parties.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said, "The irony of listening to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi lecturing about connected digital India while we are totally disconnected... The PDP-BJP regime is pushing people of the state to the wall."
Though landline broadband services resumed at 8 PM yesterday, mobile data services were restored at 10 AM this morning.
"The ban on Internet has been revoked in the state and all service providers have been asked to resume their data services," a police officer said.
The precaution was taken because of apprehension of communal tension in the backdrop of the High Court directive for implementation of an old law that bans slaughter and selling of beef. This was aimed at thwarting any design of elements to post pictures or videos on social media that may spark communal tension.
Advertisement
"Misuse of mobile phone SMS and Internet messaging service to spread malicious rumours with an intention to stoke communal tension and violent activity constitutes commission of offences under the various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prev) Act 1967, the Information Technology Act and Ranbir Penal Code... Anyone who forwards such messages (including audio, photos or videos) to other individuals or groups shall be liable for legal action under law," police had said.
Advertisement
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said, "The irony of listening to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi lecturing about connected digital India while we are totally disconnected... The PDP-BJP regime is pushing people of the state to the wall."
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Stage Set For Phase 1 Of J&K Elections Today, 24 Seats Up For Contest 6 Army Commandos Injured After Vehicle Plunges Into Deep Gorge In J&K's Rajouri Congress' Charanjit Channi, Mukesh Agnihotri Named Observers For J&K Polls 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel IndiGo Flight Tailstrike Leaves Huge Dent During Take-Off From Delhi Airport "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants New Security Arrangements Needed If...: Head Of Secret Service To Trump India, US To Explore Strengthening Energy Cooperation North Korea Fires 'Unidentified Ballistic Missile': Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.