J&K govt orders shutdown of internet, mobile services

Telcos have been asked to suspend their services with immediate effect for 72 hours

The Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered shutdown of internet services of all telecom networks and also mobile communications except of state-run BSNL for the next 72 hours as a precautionary measure because of the tense law and order situation in the state.

The decision for a complete ban of the internet services was taken after a review of the prevailing law and order situation in the state on the eve of Eid-ul-Zuha festival tomorrow, official sources here said.

The sources said Airtel, Aircel, Vodafone and Reliance telecom service providers have been ordered to shut down their services with immediate effect for 72 hours besides directing the state-run BSNL to stop its broadband services for Internet.

Separatists had given a call to march towards the United Nations office for tomorrow and the authorities were expecting that there will be addresses over telephone by leaders besides mobilising people using data services, the sources said.

However, post-paid BSNL numbers, which are mainly with police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said.

Mobile phone was banned immediately after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani during an encounter on July 8. It was partially restored on July 27 followed by opening of only broadband Internet.

Pre-paid connections irrespective of the operators continued to be shut down for the last two months.