Amit Sharma
Cometh the August 5, 2019 and the whole of state, particularly K part of J&K, goes into a state of oblivion and all forms of ICE gets frozen within no time. Sounds like a riddle, ok, let me clarify. I am talking about the closure of all kinds of sources of “I”nformation Technology like Internet, Social Media, “C”ommunication Networks like Mobile and Landline Telephony and “E”ntertainment Channels like TV and Radio Networks, Broadcasts, etc. This, in simple words, meant blockage or freezing of all kinds of medium of ICE in the state of J&K so as to take it into a totally transformative era post-independence after almost 70 years. Yes, since it was a time of complete uncertainty regarding reaction of masses, particularly in Kashmir valley, after the declaration or pronouncement of this all-time biggest decision taken by the Government of India regarding K-affairs, therefore, this was mandated as a precautionary step to be taken as a part of few important measures, amongst which, I suppose, freezing of ICE here, was a major pre-requisite and I shall try to restrict myself and the content of this article around that only.
So next comes the billion dollar question in mind whether Freezing of ICE or ICE Blockage is a boon or a bane and what are the fall-outs after taking this major step. See, its not that simple a query which can be answered straightway but it certainly requires deeper introspection rather than just an overt reply to it. For any kind of administration or for that matter, any kind of Government, be it at the national (centre) level or at the state level, it is not at all easy to take public for a ride and disrupt their ongoing routines all-of-a-sudden and that too, more or less knowing the fall-outs of ICE freezing and its effect upon all sections of society.
Although no one can deny this fact that today, we live in an age of real-time business operations, exchange of virtual information 24×7 in different forms with the usage of internet and even, we perform almost all kinds of economic activities whether, directly or indirectly, which has a linkage with this so-called ICE block, as explained above. It is also a fact that not only trade and commerce (economy) but even education world, medical world, most of the Government businesses and almost all kinds of Security and Policing related tasks are also heavily dependent upon smooth functioning of this ICE block these days and this is also true that whenever, we find that any section or component of this ICE block going down, either due to some technical fault or due to forceful Government restrictions like this one, the whole system literally comes to a halt and there are many chances of suffering huge economic and other kinds of losses.
Well, inspite of anticipating and understanding the intricacies or complications arising out of such a harsh and abrupt step of completely freezing this ICE Block, that too, for an indefinite period, one needs to understand that it must have been an unavoidable major pre-requisite and a very conscious decision, taken by our Policy-Makers, Planners and Executors, who are relentlessly working day and night, keenly observing the scenarios from top to bottom while being positioned at the helm of affairs. Now, just to carry-on further with my argument, before we move-on, let’s also try to understand what must have compelled them to freeze this ICE block so abruptly and simultaneously, being a part of all major precautions, which were taken to counter the fall-outs of this historical decision being taken so discreetly by the Government of India. What comes into my mind first of all is that it must have been compelled and inspired by several such past happenings and unfortunate instances, which would have obligated the planners to necessarily go ahead with this harsh step and there was no other best alternative available to them other than freezing ICE.
Also, it is a major historical fact that even minor deviations from the normal routines in J&K have led to major rioting, hartals, different forms of violence and the worst exchange of false propaganda which is spread in the form of false and fake internet / social media messages. They spread like wild-fire, leading towards worst consequences like hatred campaigns and brain-washing of virgin minds of the innocent youth, particularly in K-valley which has often lead them towards participating in unfortunate incidents of violence, stone-pelting and even militancy due to which precious human lives are lost.
By now, we must realise one thing that is it wise to close or freeze ICE in all forms / kinds / sources / means of communication / information / news flow / rumour mongering which takes the shape of hate spread and raising public emotions and unfortunately leads towards just-mentioned worst consequences and sometimes, even bloodshed, lead everything towards ‘point of no return’. Let’s also understand one thing that the Business and Entertainment, even Mobile Telephony and Social Networking are very important and like a lifeline in today’s era especially when it has become the norm of the day. But over and above all this, almost all of you, will agree with me in this Conclusion that “THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MUCH MORE IMPORTANT AND COMPULSIVE THAN SAVING PRECIOUS HUMAN LIVES”.
That’s why, I strongly believe that this is a very considered and conscious decision taking by the Government to Freeze the ICE Block, at least for a Temporary but unknown or indefinite period, keeping into consideration the bold / capital words, as mentioned just now till the dust finally settles down. Although, in this series of Freezing and Unfreezing of ICE block, let me remind all of you that few days back only, the State Government had taken a bold step in Jammu region, as an honest endeavour, to restore Data services on Mobile Networks although at a retarded 2G speed but to a complete dismay and utter shock, this positive move could not bear fruitful results and some unfortunate rumours started flowing about hate and violence with spread of fake photographs and over-hyped data through Social Networking sites, within a short span, which forced the Government to immediately shut down even these slowed-down Data services on Mobile networks in all districts of Jammu region for an indefinite period again bringing situation again back to square one. Although it is heartening to mention here that the Government is slowly and consciously restoring back telephone exchanges in almost all 10 districts of Kashmir region so that public can keep in touch with their nears and dears with the usage of landline telephones and also, now, News and Entertainment channels are fully functional in all districts of Kashmir.
Also, ICE is on rolls including normal functioning of Internet and mobile networks with data services in both the districts Leh and Kargil of the Ladakh region. So, this is a clear-cut indicator that if the situation remains normal, the intentions of the Government are always positive and they really want to help the public in best possible manner without putting them into any kind of inconvenience, provided there is total cooperation of the public.
Finally, I want to talk about the caption of my article which is Freezing of ICE in J&K : a Boon or a Bane. Here, my conviction says that in the present prevalent circumstances in J&K and going by the unfortunate few horrific historical facts like misuse of social networks post Burhan Wani death and post hanging of Afzal Guru, a massive misuse of this ICE Block took place; so, this step of Government to freeze ICE, is indeed, a Boon as on date, as it has resulted into saving of numerous precious human lives, especially in this initial phase of total transformational decision of the Central Government relating to abrogation of temporary provision of Article 370 relating to special status of J&K and creation of two separate Union Territories i.e., J&K and Ladakh.
(The writer is a Senior JKAS Officer and presently working as Special Secretary to Government. He can be reached at amit1kas@gmail.com)
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