The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, through Home Department, Civil Secretariat at Jammu, on Friday had issued an order for the temporary suspension of Telecom Services in the state till 15th of April, 2020.
The order stated on receipts of intelligence report from government agencies which shows that attempts are being made by the anti-national elements to spread their illegal ideologies through transmission of fake news and targeted messages aiming to disturb the public order, cause disaffection and discontent and also coordinate acts of terrorism.
In continuation the order further stated that many instances of misusing of data services for incitement, including circulation of fake news and recoveries of major cache of arms/ammunitions along with killings of civilians by the terrorists have been noticed by the concerned authorities. The Government pointed out on the changes made recently to the domicile law in J&K which has the potential to be exploited by those inimical to public peace and tranquillity and cause large scale violence and disturb public order.
The Government has made restrictions on internet speed which have not posed any hindrance to COVID-19 control measures but checked the restricted misuse of social media for coordinating terror activities. Therefore, the Principal Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Government in exercise of the powers conferred the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017 directed to continue the restrictions made in the Government order dater 26th March, 2020 which says “the internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only” till 15th of April, 2020.
-India Legal Bureau