Kashmir govt orders shutdown of all internet services except BSNL for next 72 hours

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday ordered shutdown of internet services of all telecom networks and also mobile communications except of state-run BSNL for the next 72 hours as a precautionary measure because of the tense law and order situation in the state.[caption id="attachment_3001486" align="alignleft" width="380"]

A deserted street in Srinagar during restrictions. PTI[/caption]The decision for a complete ban of the internet services was taken after a review of the prevailing law and order situation in the state on the eve of Eid-ul-Zuha festival on Tuesday, official sources said.The sources said Airtel, Aircel, Vodafone and Reliance telecom service providers have been ordered to shut down their services with immediate effect for 72 hours besides directing he state-run BSNL to stop its broadband services for Internet.Separatists had given a call to march towards the United Nations office for Tuesday and the authorities were expecting that there will be addresses over telephone by leaders besides mobilising people using data services, the sources said.However, post-paid BSNL numbers, which are mainly with police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said. Mobile phone was banned immediately after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani during an encounter on 8 July. It was partially restored on 27 July followed by opening of only broadband Internet.Pre-paid connections irrespective of the operators continued to be shut down for the last two months.