Mobile internet on the blink amid curfew-like situation in Kashmir
People in Kashmir were puzzled as mobile internet services were allowed and consequently suspended after every few hours, while curfew-like restrictions were put in place in many parts of the Valley on Friday, ahead of the first death anniversary of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani on July 8.
Both mobile and broadband internet services were suspended on Thursday night, as the strifetorn region braced for Wani’s death anniversary. But, at around 10am, mobile internet services were restored only to be snapped again at 2.30pm.
Services were restored again at around 4pm and suspended at 7pm. Broadband internet, including that of the state-owned BSNL, however, remained suspended since Thursday night.
“Confused J&K government restores mobile internet for a few hours only to shut it down again. Their cluelessness knows no bounds,” tweeted former chief minister Omar Abdullah.
He continued: “When all J&K government has is a hammer, then every problem starts to look like a nail. Standard response of the Mehbooba government — shut down the internet, close schools and colleges, and suddenly problems will disappear.”
Sources said that the cyber restrictions were put in place to prevent spread of rumours and thwart bid to mobilise protesters, but it was not clear as to why the services were being switched on and off by turn.
On the ground, to avoid a repeat of the violence that rocked Kashmir after Wani was killed in a gunfight with security forces on July 8, last year, security has been stepped across the Valley.
Last summer’s street protests left over 90 civilians dead as locals regularly clashed with the security forces.
The Hurriyat Conference leaders have called shutdowns on July 8 and July 13, when 22 Kashmiris died during protests against the regime of Maharaja Hari Singh in Srinagar in 1931. They have also asked people to visit homes of slain militant leaders on July 9.
Movement has been restricted and curfew-like curbs are already in force in most parts of Srinagar. The separatist protest call for observing martyrs’ week from July 7 coincides with that of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, recently declared a global terrorist by the United States.
On Friday, congregational prayers were disallowed at the grand mosque in Srinagar for the third consecutive week.
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tweeted, “For the last 3 consecutive Fridays #JamaMasjid under lockdown and curfew, it reflects apathy and indifference of anti #Kashmir state towards people.”
Government has called in 21,000 additional central forces personnel in view of the situation, reports said. News agency ANI quoted, deputy inspector general (DIG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) saying, “We are expecting some disturbing elements, but are fully prepared.”
“We have planned as to where the force will be posted and everything is ready, so that the civilians have no difficulty. We are expecting peace be maintained through security agencies,” he added.