No internet on mobile phones for two days in Kashmir

In order to prevent uploading of inflammatory posts and pictures on social media, authorities on Thursday decided to suspend internet services on mobile phones for two days in the Kashmir Valley.

Although there has been no official word on suspension of internet services on cell phones from either the service providers or the government, highly-placed sources in state intelligence confirmed to IANS that these service will remain suspended for two days beginning Friday morning.

"In order to prevent anti-social elements from uploading inflammatory posts and pictures that could stoke communal passions, it has been decided to suspend Internet services on mobile phone for two days," a top intelligence sources told IANS.

The suspension is aimed at preventing anti-social elements from uploading p osts and pictures during the Eid festival on Friday.

Since the state high court re-asserted strict compliance of an 1982 provision of the Ranbir Penal Code earlier this month regarding ban on slaughter, sale or possession of beef in Jammu and Kashmir, a public controversy has been raging on the social media whether such a ban amounts to interference in religious rights of the majority Muslim community here.

In a statement here on Thursday, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has also appealed to Muslims not to do any act during the Eid festival that can hurt the religious sentiments of other communities.