SRINAGAR: Mobile internet continued to remain suspended for the 13th day and cellular services of all companies snapped for the seventh day today, affecting professionals, including media, doctors and students in Kashmir, where separatists had extended strike against the civilians killings in security force firing in July 9 till July 25.
However, newspapers hit the stand today after five days in the vallety. Meanwhile, situation continued to remain grim in Kashmir, where life remained paralysed for the 13th day today due to curfew and strike, following violent clashes that left 46 people, including a policeman, dead and 2000 civilians besides 1500 security force personnel injured since July 9. All cellular services, except BSNL post paid, remained snapped since July 14.
Mobile internet services had already been suspended in Kashmir valley since protests broke out on July 9, following the killing of top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Burhan Wani along with the two other militants, in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag in south Kashmir district of Anantnag on July 8.
The authorities said the mobile internet continued to remain suspended to avoid misuse of service. The cellular service providers were asked to snap their services on July 14 in Kashmir, where people observed a blackout for more than an hour and mounted black flags on the rooftop tops of their houses.
However, BSNL postpaid mobile phones are working as of now while there was only receiving facility on pre-paid mobile phones. Though BSNL customers from Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and downtown alleged that their connections have been disconnected due to non-payment of bill despite the fact that curfew has been imposed in their areas from the last 13 days.
Meanwhile, students and businessmen stationed outside alleged that due to continuous siege on mobile services they are facing hardship in communicating with their families living in different parts of Kashmir valley.
Non-local workers living in Kashmir also alleged that they have been facing problems communicating with their families in different parts of the country. Similarly, local people are also outraged over the curb in cellular and mobile internet services.
“We have not been able to move out of our houses from the last 13 days as curfew has been imposed. We have acute shortage of essentials, but above all, we are facing hardships due to the curb on cellular services. We don’t know how our relatives and friends are living in other parts of the Valley.
It is worrisome,” said Mutahir Ahmad, a resident of Khanayar. Ban on cellular phones and mobile network has further added to rumours, leading to massive protests last night when people observed black out and took to streets for several hours in the valley, including summer capital, Srinagar. (AGENCIES)
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