Ban on prepaid SMSes in J-K unlikely to be lifted soon

Srinagar, May 24: The ban on prepaid SMSes in Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to be lifted in the near future, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hinted on May 23.

"The ban on SMS on prepaid connections is because of this problem of mass messages being used to spread rumours. Nothing so far has suggested that this disease has been cured," Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

He said the state government was working with the Centre to find a way for lifting the ban but prevent sending mass messages.

"We are working with the government of India to figure out a way whereby the ban on prepaid SMS can be lifted but at the same time multiple SMSes can be stopped," he said.

Responding to a question, Omar said he would raise the issue of Kashmiri students studying outside the state facing difficulty in acquiring SIM cards at the forthcoming internal security conference in New Delhi.

"On June 5, there is an internal security conference to be chaired by the Prime Minister and called by the (Union) Home Minster. I will raise this issue ... all state chief ministers will be present there and I will ask them to resolve this issue," he added.

PTI