Internet services fully restored in J&K

Srinagar, Sept 28: Internet services in Jammu and Kashmir were fully restored on Monday, three days after the state government ordered the termination of data services fearing trouble during Eid-ul-Azha.

While landline broadband services in the state resumed at 8 PM yesterday, mobile data services were restored at 10 am today.

"The ban on Internet has been revoked in the state and all service providers have been asked to resume their data services," a police officer said here. The Internet services were snapped in the state at 5 am on Friday last as the authorities apprehended misuse by anti-social elements.

The ban was to remain effective till 10 pm on Saturday. However, it was extended first till 2 PM on Sunday and then till 8 PM yesterday in case of landline broadband and 10 am on Monday in case of mobile Internet.

The measure was taken because of apprehension of communal tension in the backdrop of the High Court directive for implementation of an old law that bans slaughter and selling of beef.

Terming the ban as "interference in religious affairs", some separatist and religious groups had said they would defy the court order.

The step by the authorities was aimed at thwarting the designs of elements who may violate the court order and, as a mark of protest, post the pictures or videos on social media that may spark communal tension.

PTI