SRINAGAR: Students, academicians and professionals continue to suffer on account of suspension of internet services in the Kashmir Valley.
Students are particularly facing the trauma as dates for the submission of online application forms for admission in professional colleges is approaching.
To curb the rumours after Kishtwar incident, the authorities snapped internet service of different cellular companies including 3G network of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Airtel and Reliance since Saturday morning, badly affecting media, students and other professions in the Valley.
However, the broadband service of BSNL through landlines phones was working normally, though with very less speed.
This is the third time that the internet service was stopped in the Valley during 2013.
It seems we are living in stone-age. Nowhere in world any government deprives its people from this vital service, a student from South Kashmir Haroon said adding that he was unable to download the examination form for the SET.
Like students, business community and other professionals are aghast over the government decision to suspend internet services in the Valley where Jammu situation has had no impact. It is the job of the police to book rumour mongers and take action against those few who use social networking sites to disrupt peace but to make their job easy they suspend internet services and make all people suffer, said a journalist.
He said that if somebody is doing wrong the police should book him. Government has no right to treat all alike. I am using internet for the business purposes but am facing the brunt just because government is afraid of few rumour mongers whom they are unable to apprehend, said a businessman.
“When information is gagged, rumours always run wild. I wonder what they want to achieve by this internet suspension, except for telling the world that Jammu and Kashmir is being pushed into another Stone Age,” said an academician adding that how long we are going to pass through these odd situations.
Mobile Internet services were on Sunday suspended and broadband services slowed down in Jammu and Kashmir following tension in Jammu region, which have been hit by communal riots.
The mobile Internet services were earlier also snapped in the wake of hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and in the aftermath of Gool firing incident in which four persons were killed. (CNS)
The SMS on all pre-paid mobile phones of all companies remained suspended since 2010, when more than 120 people, mostly youths, were killed in alleged firing by the security forces and police personnel during demonstrations.
Local news channels on cable also remained banned since 2010 and government officials have been directed not to participate in any discussion on cable channel.
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