High-speed internet will continue to remain suspended across the Union Territory of Jammu until April 15, an order issued by Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, J&K Home Department, said on Friday.
“Reports have been received from intelligence and lawenforcement agencies, which, among other things, lay out the attempts made bythe anti-national elements to spread propaganda/ ideologies throughtransmission of fake news and targeted messages aimed at disturbing the publicorder and cause dissatisfaction and discontent as also coordinate acts ofmilitancy,” the order read.
The order said that many instances have been found of misuseof data services for incitement, including circulation of fake news, whichnecessitated even use of tear gas to disperse people in such precarious timeswhen owing to COVID 19, orders under Section 144 of Cr PC have been enforced toregulate assembly/movement of people.
“The internet speed restrictions have, while enablingaccess to essential services and sites, not posed any hindrance to Covid-19control measures or to access online educational content, but checked theunfettered misuse of social media for incitement and propagating/coordinatingmilitancy activities.”Internet services were banned in J&Kfollowing the revocation of Article 370 on August 5 last year. It was restoredin a phased manner across the UT later. However, high-speed mobile internetcontinues to remain suspended in the region.