Kashmir: The Central Government has decided to give 4G access to one district each in Jammu and Kashmir region from August 15 onwards.
High-speed Internet service in J&K was suspended in August last year when the Centre announced revocation of its special status and bifurcation of the state into two UTs — Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that a special committee is looking into the issue of internet restoration in Jammu and Kashmir and the 4G access will be given to areas with low intensity of terrorist activities.
However, the easing of rules will not be done in any area adjoining international border or the Line of Control.
Attorney General KK Venugopal representing the Centre made the statements on restoring 4G internet in Jammu and Kashmir on a trial basis.
“It is submitted that the special committee held a third meeting on August 10 and consulted with local agencies in Jammu and Kashmir. Various options are being considered keeping in mind border security. The committee is of the view that the threat perception in J&K continues to be high. However, internet restrictions are not posing any hinderance to Covid care, education or business,” said the statement.
It added that given the current security scenario, it is not yet conducive to restore high-speed internet access to mobile phones.
Further, petitioner lawyer Huzefa Ahmadi told SC to keep the petition pending and review after a month as to what happens on the ground.
To this, Supreme Court said, “We have to see the other aspects of the situation there. We hope that the situation will improve. I don’t believe there is any need to keep the contempt matter pending”.
