Restoration of mobile phones; A decision too late, say many in Valley

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/13/2019 4:12:33 PM

SRINAGAR, Oct 12: The decision of the state government to restore mobile phone service is mostly seen here as a step too late. But there are others who say better late than never.
The governor administration today announced restoration of all post paid mobile phones from 12 noon on October 14. The mobile phones, land lines and internet service were snapped by the government on August 5 since reading down of Articles 370 and 35 A were and reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir state into two union territories.
The land line phones were restored several weeks back and today the government ordered the restoration of all mobile phones from October 14.
A number of people today demanded that immediately after the restoration of mobile phones, the broadband internet service be also restored as non-availability of internet is badly affecting every sphere of life.
According to reports, there are 66 lakh mobile phones in Kashmir and 40 lakh of those are postpaid mobile phones. Reports added that the mobile phone operators are suffering a loss of Rs two crore daily and the loss has been put at Rs 138 till now from August 5..
The government today did not give any time-frame for restoration of prepaid mobile phones and restoration of broadband and mobile internet.
Because of the suspension of mobile phone and internet services, large number of employees associated with this sector have become jobless. It is to be seen as to how the employers will respond once the mobile phones start working. There are other employees, who were retained, but not provided salaries.
“Our families suffered immensely as we were not provided salaries. For these over two months, we faced very tough times,” said Layeeq Ahmad, working in mobile phone sector.
He added that the decision by the governor administration came too late. “They should have restored the phones much earlier. They showed too much unjustified reluctance in doing so. When the restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles were completely lifted and people could meet and travel easily what was the fun in keeping the mobile phone service suspended,” Layeeq said.
Mubashir Khan, working in a mobile phone company, viewed that militancy was there before introduction of mobile phones, it was during when mobile phones were active, and it will be there when the mobile phones are restored. “The security agencies have been dealing with militancy for decades now, mobile phones should not be seen as a reason for militancy and lakhs of people not put to inconvenience,” he added.
Mohammad Shafi, a businessman said, the lack of mobile phones gave tough times to people. “The number of landline phones is very small. There were only 45,000 landline connections till August 5 and 14,000 additional landline connections were provided after that. The suspension of mobile phones and subsequent delay in restoration of the service has badly hit every sphere of life-be that health, education, media and the like,” he said.
Yawar Hussain, a student said, “Better late than never. Let the government immediately restore internet service also. That is the need of the hour.”

 

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