Srinagar: Claiming that the low-speed internet posed no hindrance to COVID-19 control measures or to access online educational content, the government on Friday announced continuing of 2G speed till April 15.
“The internet speed restrictions have while enabling access to essential services and sites, not posed any hindrance to COVID-19 control measures or to access online educational content, but checked the unfettered misuse of social media for incitement and propagating /coordinating (militant) activities,” Shaleen Kabra(IAS), Principal Secretary to the Government Home department said in an order issued here.
The order said that reports have been received from the intelligence and law enforcement agencies which, among other things, “bring out the factum of the attempts made by the anti-national elements (ANEs) to spread propaganda/ideologies through the transmission of fake news and targeted messages aimed at disturbing the public order and cause disaffection and discontent as also coordinate acts of (militancy).”
Many instances of misuse of data services for incitement, including circulation of fake news, have been noticed which necessitated even use of teargas to disperse people in such precarious times when owing to COVID-19, orders under section 144 Cr.PC have been enforced to regulate assembly or movement, the order reads.
It said there is enhanced public awareness regarding social distancing measures. “There have also been recoveries of a major cache of arms/ ammunitions on one hand and killings of civilians by the (militants) on the other, apart from attempts to encourage (militancy) through the uploading of provocative videos/ material as also infiltration from across the border.”
Further, it said, the recent changes in the domicile law in J&K too has the potential to be exploited by those inimical to public peace and tranquility and cause large scale violence and disturb public order, “which has till now been maintained due to various pre-emptive measures, including restriction on access to the internet with relaxations in a calibrated and gradual manner, after due consideration of the ground situation.”
“…the directions/restrictions contained in Government Order No. 21(TSTS) of 2020 dated 20.03.2020 shall continue,” the order reads.
IGsP Jammu and Kashmir have been asked to ensure communication of these directions to the service providers and its implementation.
“The directions shall be effective from 4th April, 2020 and remain in force till 15th April, 2020, unless modified earlier,” it added.
