Communication gagged, restored
Srinagar: Mobile internet services and calling facilities were snapped in Kashmir as a ‘precautionary measure’ on the occasion of the Republic Day on Friday.
The internet services on mobile phones and data cards were suspended on Thursday as part of the security drill of the Republic Day.
Although, it’s a normal practice in Kashmir to suspend the internet services on the Republic Day and Independence Day, this is the first time that these services were withdrawn a day earlier.
Security forces have been deployed in strength across the valley, especially in Srinagar city where the main R-day function was held.
The law enforcing agencies are carrying out random frisking and searches of vehicles entering the city.
This year the main Republic Day function will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium instead of the regular venue — Bakshi Stadium.
The area around the cricket stadium was sealed on Wednesday for full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade.
Traffic police has issued an advisory for movement of vehicles between the city centre and south Kashmir and no vehicle will be permitted to move along the Ram Munshi Bagh- TRC stretch of the road during the rehearsal and Republic Day function.
Pertinently, after around seven hours of suspension mobile services of all cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), were finally restored after remaining suspended since Thursday evening.
The mobile services were suspended at around 0700 hrs in the Valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, where the main RD functions was held at S K cricket stadium at high security Sonawar area of the summer capital instead of Bakshi stadium in the uptown due to renovation.
However, the services were restored at around 1400 hrs after the RD functions were over.
“The mobile internet of all companies has been restored at around 1430 hrs.
KV Correspondent
