Decision after assessing situation, say officials
Srinagar: Based on a considered and wide-ranging assessment of the prevailing situation, the government may restore 4G Internet services in more districts in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, KINS has learnt.
Highly placed sources said that the review by top authorities will be carried out and if there is an improvement in the security situation appropriate action will be taken accordingly.
“We are assessing the situation. We may open it (4G) in more districts as and when we deem it appropriate, given the level of peace we have in the province,” said a top source in the administration wishing not to be named.
One of the top officials said that as a measure of precaution, they are not opening 4G services even when they were aware that there is already peace in most of the districts.
Since the ban on 4G, the government has been maintaining that these security measures such as the internet ban were necessary to better integrate the region with India, foster greater economic development and stop threats from “anti-national elements”.
Interestingly Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, recently had gave hints on restoration of high speed 4G internet services in the remaining eighteen districts of the Union Territory (UT) soon.
“I know 4G is working in just two districts of J&K. There is a committee examining the issue. Hopefully, there will be good news soon in the coming days,” he had said while replying a question at a press conference in winter capital Jammu.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration recently extended the suspension of internet till February 6, saying the services will continue to be restricted to 2G. The ban was extended to all districts except Ganderbal and Udhampur districts.
In an order, the administration also said Internet connectivity shall be continued to be made available, with Mac-binding.
Principal Secretary to the Union Territory administration ShaleenKabra had said that he was satisfied with the reports of law enforcement agencies that it was necessary to extend the ban “in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state and for maintaining public order.”
It is to mention here that the J&K administration restored 4G services in Udhampur and Ganderbal districts on a trial basis on August 16 last year, but refused to extend high-speed mobile internet beyond these precincts citing inputs from security agencies.
