MP Abdullah writes to PM Modi, appeals him to restore services, Amnesty Int’l India appeals for 4G restoration too
Srinagar: Amid panic over the deadly coronavirus across Jammu and Kashmir, the people across the newly carved Union Territory have been demanding immediate restoration of high speed mobile data services.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the restoration of high speed mobile data services as per the people will help them in accessing more knowledge about the prevention of the virus.
The netizens have also been posting their demands of different social networking sites while some of the denizens have also tagged the top administrative officials of Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to ensure the demand will not go unheard.
In the recent review meeting, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has extended the restrictions on high speed mobile data services across the Union Territory till March 26, 2020.
“We want the government to restore 4g in Kashmir. We need it badly right now,” one of the netizens tweeted.
Similar kind of tweets and posts were shared by the people across Jammu on different social media platforms and appealed the government here to restore the services immediately.
The Private School Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) also demanded immediate restoration of services, saying that it will help in teaching the students while they are staying at home.
Besides, the Amnesty International India also said that the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir must restore full access to internet services in the region of Jammu and Kashmir and ensure that people have full access to health and safety-related information.
“With 219,217 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 8,965 deaths and at least 85,742 people having recovered as on 19 March 2020, the world faces one of the greatest pandemic threat of our generation so far,” said Amnesty International India in a statement.
“As on 19 March (9:00 AM), the Government of India has reported 166 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country. Of these, four cases have been confirmed by the Government in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the rising number of cases, on 17 March 2020, the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir ordered for the continued restrictions on full internet services such as restricting the speed to 2G in the region. Complete internet shutdowns have also been imposed intermittently in certain areas in the guise of security. To contain the spread of the virus, the Government also ordered for the shutdown of all educational institutions, public parks, hotels, restaurants and other restrictions on public gatherings,” said Amnesty International India.
Meanwhile, the incumbent parliamentarian from Srinagar and National Conference (NC) patron, Dr. Farooq Abdullah who was recently released from seven-month-long detention has written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and appealed him to restore 4G internet services in Jammu and Kashmir at an earliest.
In a letter under number PS/DFA/Gen/263, dated 19-03-2020, Dr. Farooq said that “As you are aware, the first case of Coronavirus has been detected in Kashmir yesterday which has resulted in authorities locking down large parts of the Valley. Business and students already hit hard by the shut down after 5th of August, 2019 are again suffering because of these restrictions.”
As per –KNO, the letter by Abdullah to PM Modi added that “the people are being advised to work/study from home, but this is impossible with 2G internet speed and limited fixed line internet penetration. I would, therefore, request you to restore 4G internet services in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest to ease the suffering of the people.”— (KNO)
