Nearly 17 months after the first internet shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir, India is restoring full 4G coverage in the region. Government official spokesman Rohit Kansal made the official announcement.
4G mobile internet services are being restored across J&K. @diprjk
– Rohit Kansal (@ kansalrohit69) 5 February, 2021
In August 2019, India’s Home Minister Amit Shah moved to abolish Article 370 in Parliament to remove his position of autonomy. Government Internet and communication services blocked for millions In the region saying that it wants to control unrest and misinformation. The state has now been reorganized as two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The citizens of the area had to wait October 2019 To get your internet connection back. But the move was restricted to postpaid consumers, leaving prepaid users in the dark. The government later restored Internet access in a staggered manner through various permission lists. A limited number of sites. In March, restrictions on the sites were lifted, but mobile connectivity was still limited 2G for prepaid connection.
[Read: The human cost of a year of internet blackouts in Kashmir]
Internet shutdown and other restrictions had a serious impact on people’s livelihood. According to a report published by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, businesses Lost more than $ 5.3 billion After the blackout.
It was one of the longest running Internet shutdowns in democratic countries. Raman Cheema, director of Asia Pacific Policy at Internet Rights Non Profit Access Now, said the previous shutdown was excessive and repeated without a mind.
This is welcome, but it should also be clear – the previous closure was excessive, repeated the imprudence. Glad that all Jammu and Kashmir residents would have to restore the internet soon, denied violating their rights under the Indian Constitution.
Now, to get all Indians equal. https://t.co/MIYfqQn4YV
– Raman Cheema (@tame_wildcard) 5 February, 2021
Government restored in August last year 4g In two parts of Kashmir on a trial basis But did not provide any timeline for complete restoration. Now, finally, it has allowed 4G connectivity for all the people of the region.
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