No relief for 3 ex CMs, other leaders, internet still suspended in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 21: There was no relief for three former Chief Ministers, ex-ministers and ex-legislators who remained under detention from August 5, when the Centre scrapped Article 370 and 35 A and dividing the state into two Union Territory (UT).

Internet service of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) remained suspended since August 5, badly hitting media persons, students, professionals and traders in the valley.

Three ex-CMs Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and several other leaders, including former ministers and legislators remained under detention since August 5.
Dr Abdullah, who is MP from Srinagar constituency, has been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA). The number of other leaders detained, included chairman of Peoples Conference (PC) Sajjad Gani Lone and former IAS officer turned politician Dr Shah Faesal also remained under detention. Interestingly, Lone was a minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mehbooba from the quota of the saffron party.

However, over two dozen former legislators and ministers besides other leaders were released after they gave an undertaking that they will not raise the issue of scrapping of special status of the state.

The internet service of all Cellular companies remained suspended since August 5 in the Kashmir valley, badly hitting professionals, Doctors, Media persons and students.

However, pre-paid mobile service has also been restored in the valley recently.

The Government also restored 2G service on postpaid internet service in frontier district of Kupwara and another north Kashmir district of Bandipora. Restoration of pre paid mobile in Kashmir and 2G internet service in Kupwara and Ganderbal followed direction by Supreme Court to review ban on internet and prepaid service in Kashmir. But only government approved website will be accessible to users while social media and news portals have been banned.

Media persons continued to file their stories from Information Department where a facilitation centre has been set up for them. However, they had to wait for hours to finally get their turn to file stories.