The Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday demanded the restoration of 4G internet facilities in Kashmir to fight the coronavirus epidemic.
“In view of this global health crisis (coronavirus)that has spread to the valley, 4G internet facility should be immediatelyrestored,” the Hurriyat said in a statement.
The separatist conglomerate expressed concern over thealarming situation arising out of coronavirus across the world and appealed tothe people of Jammu and Kashmir to strictly follow the preventive measures andguidelines as suggested by medical experts and concerned agencies.
The Hurriyat urged people to stay indoors to contain thevirus and prevent its spread so that precious human lives are saved.
It also sought immediate release of all Kashmiri prisonerslanguishing in various jails across India, on humanitarian grounds as theirwell-being is under threat in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
“Crowded jails are most vulnerable in the spread of thevirus among inmates, which is a matter of grave concern,” it added.
The Hurriyat said the authorities should impose a ban onentry of non-locals and foreign tourists to Kashmir immediately.
“Given the widespread negative impact of the coronavirus disease (for which it was declared pandemic), authorities must impose animmediate ban on the entry of non-locals and foreign tourists to Kashmir,”it said.
Internet services were suspended in Jammu and Kashmir onAugust 5 last year, hours before the Centre announced the abrogation of Article370.
While 2G services on postpaid mobile phones and Broadbandand lease-line services were restored months later, the 4G services continuedto remain suspended.
The government in a recent order said the low speed internetwill continue in the Union Territory till March 26 “in the interest ofsovereignty and integrity” of the country.