Mehbooba Mufti Says 'Access to Internet is a Fundamental Right', Tweets 'Kashmir's Under Inhuman Lockdown' After Abrogation of Article 370
Mufti criticised the suspension of internet services and claimed that the ban had 'crippled the economy'. Mufti questioned, 'How many post paid mobiles will even be working since bills haven’t been paid since August?'
Srinagar, October 12: Hours after tweeting that "Every statement from the authorities about situation in Kashmir is a bald faced lie," PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tweeted saying that "Kashmir’s been under an inhuman lockdown for over 2 months," and alleged that the state administration was taking "half hearted steps just to stave off international pressure such as restoring only post paid mobiles." Mufti criticised the suspension of internet services and claimed that the ban had "crippled the economy". Mufti questioned, "How many post paid mobiles will even be working since bills haven’t been paid since Aug?" Jammu And Kashmir: Postpaid Mobile Phone Services To Be Restored From October 13 Over Two Months After Article 370 Repeal.
"Authorities cannot behave like the proverbial ostrich with its head under the sand and ignore ground realities. Let’s not forget access to internet is a fundamental right. Cannot be taken away arbitrarily and indefinitely," tweeted Mehbooba Mufti.
Read Her Tweets Below
Earlier on Saturday, Principal Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Rohit Kansal said that, "All postpaid mobile phone services, irrespective of the service provider, will be restored from noon on Monday." Stating the reason for imposing restrictions, Kansal added, "In August 2019 various restrictions were imposed in J&K to protect it from disturbances from across the border and so that normal life could continue in the state." However, Mehbooba Mufti had tweeted saying that the claims made by the authorities were not true and contested the claims.
Mobile internet services in Jammu and Kashmir was suspended with the announcement of abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. The state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two separate Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after the announcement by Home Minister Amit Shah.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2019 04:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).