Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 16: Describing the restoration of 2G mobile internet services in few districts of Jammu region as contemptuous defiance of Supreme Court orders, NPP chairman Harshdev Singh lambasted the J&K Administration for further continuing with its policy of suppression by trampling the right of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed to the people by the Constitution of India.
He said that the restoration of the obsolete 2G services on the post paid mobile telephones only tantamount to ban on internet services which conspicuously has been resumed by the administration to ‘save its skin’ in view of the SC orders.
Asserting that the Supreme Court orders strictly directed the J&K Administration to review curbs on mobile internet services to restore it in the manner it was before August 5, 2019, Singh pointed out that apex court categorically declared that the freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to practice any profession over the medium of internet enjoys constitutional protection under Art 19(1)(a) and Art 19(1)(g). It also held that the suspension of internet services can be ordered only for temporary duration under Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Services) rules, 2017, added Harshdev.
“Its resumption on post paid mobile users has categorically deprived the pre-paid mobile users who comprise the majority of subscribers of the mobile internet services. 2G services are exceptionally feeble and slow and don’t allow access to all the sites. It has also been observed that such services are not being provided by all the telecom companies except the BSNL. The students still continue to suffer, the commercial and business houses still continue to suffer huge losses, the traders, shop keepers and the media fraternity are still facing acute problems. Why the policy of coercion has been enforced on the people of Jammu Pradesh? Why Jammu region has been put under siege despite having nationalistic character?”, questioned Harshdev.
Accusing the J&K Government of playing hide and seek over mobile internet services, Harshdev regretted that the restoration of useless 2G connectivity in few districts in Jammu province was not only a cruel joke with the people but a contemptuous mockery of the SC orders.
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