Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 19: Communication gag remained in force in Kashmir valley, where cellular services, barring BSNL, remained suspended for the eights successive days today while mobile-internet services snapped since July 9, a day after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants in an encounter at Anantnag.
However, broadband services, including BSNL have been restored in the valley, where life remained crippled for the 42nd day today due to curfew, restrictions and strike called by separatists against the killing of civilians in security force firing since July 9.
Mobile-internet services of all companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited (BSNL), remained snapped since July 9. Internet service of private service providers, including which were snapped on August 12, where restored. Meanwhile broadband service of BSNL, which was suspended on August 13, was restored in Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, the gag is giving sleepless nights to hundreds of Kashmiri students and businessmen living in different parts of the country, who have been unable to contact their families in the valley.
Post-paid services, barring BSNL, remained suspended since August 12. Only BSNL post-paid mobile phones are working normally as of now in Kashmir.
Pre-paid mobile phone service of all cellular companies, except BSNL, remained suspended in Kashmir after the death of Burhan. Though BSNL pre-paid connections have only incoming facility.
Security force personnel also expressed concern over communication gag. They said they have not been able talk to their families from the last seven days. "From last eight days, I have not been able to talk to my family as I have a pre-paid connect and it is not working. I don't know how they are and their have no idea how I'm," a security force personnel from Maharashtra said.
Due to sharp reaction from students and businessmen outside the Valley, post-paid mobile service of all companies was restored on July 28 after a gap of 14 days, which was followed by restoration of incoming facilities on pre-paid connections.
However, post-paid services of all companies, barring BSNL, were again snapped on August 12, when the incoming facilities to all pre-paid connects, except BSNL, was also stopped.
Mobile internet service of all Cellular companies, including BSNL, was suspended on July 9 as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of rumours in the Valley. However, curb on communication has given rumour mongers a free hand in Kashmir valley, where 66 civilians have so far been killed in security force firing since July 9.
The Short Message Service (SMS) on BSNL post-paid phones was also functioning normally.
The authorities had also directed bureaucrats and other officers not to participate in any political debate on local cable channels. |
