After 18 months, 4G high-speed internet services are once again restored all across Jammu & Kashmir. The internet services were snapped off to prevent a backlash against the government’s decision to revoke the former state’s special status. The union territories were put under the world’s longest-running internet shutdown in a democratic country on August 5, 2019. Over the last year, slow mobile data and broadband internet were restored in phases. And now, Jammu & Kashmir has got 4G internet after 18 months.
Jammu & Kashmir Gets Back 4G Internet After 18 Months
Jammu and Kashmir administration spokesperson Rohit Kansal tweeted, “4G mobile internet services being restored in entire J&K.” According to NDTV, the services resumed from Friday midnight as reported by PTI, citing sources. On August 5, 2019, Jammu & Kashmir’s special status was revoked. The former state was then split into union territories Jammu and Kashmir. Several politicians including former Chief Ministers were put into detention to prevent push-back. 4G high-speed, the internet was shut down in the union territories for 18 months since then.
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NDTV reports that over the last year, Jammu & Kashmir got back its broadband internet and mobile data. The Supreme Court informed the government that these curbs were an assault on free speech and democratic rights. The government, in turn, stated to the Supreme Court that 4G internet services will be permitted on a trial basis. So, one district of Jammu and another one of the Kashmir Valley is equipped with 4G internet after Independence.
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“Better Late Than Never”: Former CM Omar Abdullah
A security establishment officer from J& K stated to The Indian Express, “The security agencies have been saying since last year that the situation is under control and mobile Internet can be restored across the Union Territory, but the Ministry of Home Affairs did not give the go-ahead. It is good that it has relented now. Restoration of services will make life easier for the people, and will also be a good confidence-building step.” Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed this move to restore 4G services in J&K. He tweeted, “4G Mubarak! For the first time since Aug 2019, all of J&K will have 4G mobile data. Better late than never.” Until you visit Jammu, here’s a virtual tour to the union territory.