Srinagar, Nov. 7: Due to potential “misuse by anti-national elements or miscreants, which may cause deterioration in public order,” the authorities in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir have shut down the Internet in the villages of Wamoora and Hunipora.
The telecom service providers were instructed to halt mobile data from 7 p.m. on November 5 to 7 p.m. on November 8 within a three-kilometer radius of these locations.
The following is stated in an order from the Home Department: “Whereas, the ADGP, Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, being the authorized officer under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, has issued directions to the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to suspend mobile data (2G/3G/4G/5G) services in the Wampora and Hunipora area (latitude 33.9614541 and longitude 74.8720951 with a radius of three kilometers) of District Puiwama starting at 1900 hours on November 5, 2023, and ending at 1900 hours on November 8, 2023;”
“And while the order or letter under reference discusses the potential for mobile data (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G) services to be abused by miscreants or anti-national elements, which might lead to a decline in public order, Order No. 4106(TSTS) of 2023 dated 05.11.2023, under endorsement No. KZ/CS/Snap-downt2023 dated 05.11.2023 issued by the Authorized Officer, in exercise of powers conferred under sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017,” it continued. Based on the various aspects presented in the material provided by the authorized officer, I, Financial Commissioner (ACS) Home, am satisfied that it was absolutely necessary for the authorized officer to issue the aforesaid directions without first obtaining the approval of the competent authority, in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, and maintaining public order.
