No restriction on accessing websites, movement in J&K: Centre

The Centre on Sunday said there is no prohibition on accessing any website as well as social media sites in Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy informed Rajya Sabha that except two districts -- Ganderbal district of Kashmir and Udhampur in Jammu -- the data services are currently restricted to 2G speed in the Union territories.

"There is no restriction on accessing any sites, including the social media sites," he said in a written reply. He further added that internet services are already available in Kashmir on fixed line (without any speed-related restrictions) as well as mobile data services (at 2G speed) since January 24, 2020. The minister said fixed line internet connectivity is available without any speed-related prohibitions, with Mac-binding.

Reddy also asserted that social media was made accessible in J&K from March 4, 2020 while ban on high speed data in two districts was lifted on August 16, 2020.

The Union minister said that e-learning apps of government of India have availed e-book downloading options which can be accessed via 2G internet.

“Further, the restriction on high speed mobile internet services has not been an impediment in the administration of justice and the courts have taken special measures to conduct their proceedings during the pandemic by providing video links/URLs to lawyers and the litigants,” Reddy said.

“Considering the overall security scenario and in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir issues orders from time to time regulating telecom and internet services in terms of the applicable rules and the principles laid down and directions contained in the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India..,” he added.

Additionally, Reddy also informed there are no restriction on movement of any individual.

"At present, there are no restrictions on movement but for the security advisories to maintain the law and order situation and no person is under House arrest in Jammu and Kashmir for reasons not related to public health guidelines,” he said in written response to a question," he said.

Restrictions on high speed internet and people's movement got restricted in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure safety and security after the scrapping of Article 370 on 5 August,2019.