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4 months on, internet restoration a distant dream in Kashmir

MAJID NABI. Dated: 12/10/2019 12:44:36 PM

SRINAGAR, Dec 9: Four months have passed since the Union government scarped special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian constitution, internet and postpaid mobile service seems to be a distant dream to be restored soon in Kashmir.
Despite being well aware of the problems people of Kashmir valley face in the aftermath of suspension of communication system since August 5, government seems to be least bothered to alleviate sufferings of people which arose out of the decision.
From businessmen to students, traders, officials and journalists internet suspension has affected everyone equally in Kashmir. Centre suspended all modes of communication in Jammu and Kashmir few hours before the Articles 370 and 35A were scraped and erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State divided into two Union Territories on August 5.
Even as the UT Lieutenant Governor, his Advisor and UT police chief while admitting the complicatedness said internet would be restored soon in Kashmir, however none of them mentioned any specific date as to when much needed services will be restored.
While students could not download necessary study material, patients with chronic ailments are forced to move outside states to get important tips related to health. Most of the travel agents in Kashmir have temporarily winded up their offices in Kashmir and shifted to national Capital to have online booking of customers.
Internet service has even not been restored in valley hospitals thereby leaving patients and their attendants in dire straits.
“If the government has no issues to restore postpaid mobile service on all networks after three months suspension, what makes it to prolong internet suspension if they say everything is normal in Kashmir? If everything is normal then restore both internet and prepaid services without any further delay,” Tariq Ahmad a trader said.
He said the government compounds problems of people with each passing day by protracting the issue.
Ifitkhar Ahmad whose mother is a chronic kidney patient said “I have to travel to New Delhi twice a month to get my mother treated. When internet was working in Kashmir before August 5, I was getting updates through mail. Now I appeal the administration to restore internet service in Kashmir without causing unnecessary delay,”