Net gag enters 2nd week in Shopian, Pulwama

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 13

The suspension of the mobile Internet in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Pulwama districts entered the second week on Wednesday even as the region battles the spread of the coronavirus.

Shopian is one of the districts in Jammu and Kashmir badly affected by the coronavirus and has recorded more than 100 virus cases.

The low-speed Internet was suspended in the two districts last week following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander in a gunfight. While there were clashes after the gunfight, the region has not seen any major protests.

While the mobile Internet was snapped across Kashmir following the militant’s killing, the administration earlier this week ordered the restoration of the 2G services “except in the districts of Pulwama and Shopian”. The direction is to remain effective for the next two weeks.

A resident of Pulwama district said “the people are suffering immensely” due to the Internet shutdown during the lockdown. “There are so many things which are essential and need Internet, but we are not even able to make an e-payment,” said the local.