Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 3: A campaign to end the ban on SMS service in Jammu and Kashmir was launched by J&K based citizen journalism portal U4UVoice at Jammu Club today.
The initiative by the portal asked citizens to sign a petition calling for overturning this ban as it has become the bane of a large population of the state as they do not own smartphones and tablets. A large number of people present at Jammu club on Saturday evening participated in the event, and signed the petition. The campaign also calls for voting in large numbers in favour of Jammu born Anmol Jaswal, who is a budding singer and participant in the junior Indian Idol competition.
It may be recalled that the ban on SMS service in prepaid mode was imposed by the State Government in the name of security but it has not been revoked despite changes in the ground situation. A large number of people in the state have been facing problems due to denial of this service. At the launch of this initiative U4UVoice said that the goal of the portal is to highlight the problems being faced by residents of the state, and take the issues to appropriate authorities.
A number of signatories to the petition said that the ban on SMS service had served its purpose and with the state moving towards peace, it was important to bring back every element of normalcy.
They also implored the State Government to at least lift the ban partially so that people could vote for Anmol Jaswal as he had brought laurels to the state with his talented singing.
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