Mobile internet suspended in south, parts of north Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 14: Mobile internet services of all cellular companies, including BSNL, were suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of rumours in south Kashmir, where two encounters are going on between militants and security forces since early Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, mobile internet services remained suspended since Monday evening in Kupawra and Baramulla for security reasons.
Officials said the authorities have directed all cellular companies to suspend mobile internet services in entire south Kashmir to prevent spread of any rumour on social media. But, suspension of the facility has led to more rumours.
The directions were issued by the authorities after encounter ensued between militants and security forces at two places in south Kashmir -- Naubugh in Qazigund in Kulgam and Tral in Pulwama.
They said mobile internet remained suspended in north Kashmir district of Kupwara, where two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were killed in an encounter on Monday evening. One of the militant was a resident of Sopore and another Palhalan Pattan in Baramulla district, where internet services also remained suspended since Monday evening for security reasons.
The authorities have in the past also suspended internet services on several occasions in the valley for security reasons. However, the government has come under severe criticism over it from all the sections of the society in the valley, besides Press Council of India (PCI).
The mobile internet services for post-paid connections was suspended for about five months last year following violence triggered by the death of HM commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year. Similarly, mobile internet services for prepaid connections were restored in Kashmir on January 27, six months after they were suspended.

Meanwhile, the telecast of news on local cable channels in the Valley remained banned since 2010, when there were massive protest during which more than 120 people, mostly youths, were killed in security force and police firing in the Valley. The authorities had also directed bureaucrats and other officers not to participate in any political debate on local cable channels.