Srinagar: Mobile internet service of all cellular companies, including Broadband service of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), was once again suspended this evening in Kashmir valley due to security reasons.
The services were suspended as precautionary measure in view of an upward spiral in protests by students against use of alleged disproportionate force by security forces on students in Degree College Pulwama.
However, broadband internet service of BSNL and other local service providers were functioning normally as of now.
The authorities today asked all cellular companies to suspend mobile internet service in the valley to prevent spread of any rumour on social media during polling. However, suspension of the facility has led to more rumours, leading to more protests and clashes.
The mobile internet services were resumed just four day ago on April 13 in the valley after remaining suspended since April 8 midnight. The services were suspended on April 8 midnight in view of strike call by separatists during bypolls in Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats followed by subsequent clashes.
The clashes during by polls to Srinagar parliamentary constituency left eight civilians dead and 150 others, including 100 security force personnel, injured. Following detritions of situation and apprehension of more trouble, the Election Commission of India (ECI) deferred bypolls to Anantnag parliamentary constituency.
Meanwhile, since violence hit Kashmir valley after the dead of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year, the broadband internet and mobile phone services were suspended thrice prior to this gag for around 25 days.
For around a month, the only mobile service functional in Kashmir valley was BSNL while pre-paid services of all cellular companies were restored after a span of three months on October 15 last year.
The mobile internet services for post-paid connections were restored on November 19 last year after a gag of about five months. Similarly, mobile internet services for prepaid connections were restored in Kashmir on January 27, six months after they were suspended.
Meanwhile, the telecast of news on local cable channels in the Valley remained banned since 2010, when there were massive protest during which more than 120 people, mostly youths, were killed in security force and police firing in the Valley.
The authorities had also directed bureaucrats and other officers not to participate in any political debate on local cable channels.
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