Mobile Internet snapped, restored in Jammu region

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 5

The mobile Internet service were snapped in the Jammu region by the state administration to prevent rumours during protests, called by Kashmir-based separatists, which have reached parts of the Jammu region as well. However, the the services were restored late on Friday evening.

Earlier, taking preventive measures in view of the Kashmir unrest and fresh protest calls in parts of Jammu, the state administration late on Thursday ordered the telecom operators to snap the mobile Internet services in Jammu. The service has already been suspended in Kashmir since July 8, after the killing of terrorist commander Burhan Wani. It was restored in Jammu on July 25.

There were apprehension that situation may get tense today in Jammu as massive protests were expected after Friday prayers at Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and Rajouri.

According to sources, the state administration on Thursday night asked all the telecom operators of the state to suspend mobile Internet services in Jammu. This was opposed by the operators as they are already bearing huge losses due to suspension of Internet services in Kashmir. Finally in view of security concerns, the operators agreed to suspend it on the condition of early restoration.

A police official informed, “Mobile Internet service has been suspended temporarily to prevent rumourmongers from spreading false and hatred news. As the mobile Internet is handy and easily available to the youth, we prefer to suspend it first.”

“Broadband will remain operational,” he added.

Though the administration has put restrictions on Internet to prevent rumours, but snapping the service created panic among the people and spread lots of rumours this morning.

“When I didn’t get Internet signal on my mobile phone this morning, I restarted my phone twice and then called my friends to confirm about the suspension of the service,” said Sanjay Dhar, a resident of Roop Nagar.