Jammu & Kashmir extends ban on 3G, 4G internet services till August 19

The Jamu and Kashmir governement on Wednesday extended ban on high sped internet data in the union territory till August 19,2020. Internet remains restricted to 2G speed for post-paid sim cards and verified pre-paid sim cards. This decision came after anti-national activities witness rise over the coming weeks events inlcuding Article one year anniversaty of scrapping of article 370 and Independece Day.

Internet access across the Union Territory of J&K shall be made available; however, internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only and post-paid sim card holders shall be provided with access to internet: Jammu & Kashmir Government, " ANI reported.

Earlier, centre had told Supreme Court that it would verify media reports quoting J&K Lieutenant-Governor G.C. Murmu saying 4G Internet speed shout be restored in the UT. It also sought time to file a reply to the rejoinder affidavit filed by an NGO. A bench of justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai adjourned the hearing for August 7.

The ban on high speed internet would complete one year on August 5 as the centre revoked special status of the former state under Article 370 and downgraded it two UTs - J&K and Ladakh last year.

The Principal Secretary Home Department Shaleen Kabra in an order said that 2G speed across the J&K would be made available with certain condition till August 19.

The order said “restrictions on access to internet through mobile data services have been necessitated” in view of its “misuse in planning and executing terror acts, including attacks on security forces, political workers and innocent civilians, propagation of ideologies inimical to the interests of the country, misguiding the youth to join terrorist ranks, communicating and coordinating with handlers across the border to facilitate infiltration”.

Wednesday's order has come at a time when expectations were high that 4G high speed internet access would be restored in the UT shortly.