Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Sept 24: All telecom operators in Jammu and Kashmir on instructions of police authorities suspended internet services at midnight tonight in anticipation of misuse of social media by the anti-social elements to create communal disturbances on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha festival tomorrow.
“In view of apprehension of misuse of data services (GPRS 2G/3G) by anti-social elements, the telecom operators on the directions of police department suspended the internet services, which would block all kind of social media including WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter at midnight tonight in entire Jammu and Kashmir barring Ladakh,’’ official sources said.
They added that the internet services were snapped at midnight tonight by all telecom providers. Earlier in the day, the police authorities had written to the telecom operators to suspend the services from midnight tonight to 10 pm till September 26.
The ban has been imposed on Internet so that no videos are uploaded or social networking sites are accessible.
The Government had asked to service providers to ensure that the bandwidth of Internet is reduced to the bare minimum.
Meanwhile, in view of ensuing religious festivals, the State Government has issued advisory to all the Deputy Commissioners and other senior level officers not to leave headquarters without prior permission of the designated authorities.
All the District Superintendents of Police have also been asked not to leave the stations and be available in respective places of posting during the religious festivals.
The directions have been issued to ensure adequate availability of civil supplies and to make sure that proper arrangements are made for the people with respect to water and power supply, sanitation, healthcare and traffic management. During the festival season special market checking drives are also to be undertaken to curb profiteering and black marketing of essential commodities.
The police administration shall make sure that proper security arrangement are put in place in the districts and proper arrangements are made at Eidgahs.
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