Srinagar: A few hours after restoring mobile telephone services partially in Kashmir the government stopped its SMS (text) services, leaving subscribers handicapped again. Officials said it was done as a ‘precautionary measure’, but subscribers said that barring SMS services rends them unable to use several service like processing card or online online payments.
“SMS services were stopped last evening as a precautionary measure,” an official told PTI.
The postpaid-mobile services were resumed in Kashmir valley on Monday after 72 days while internet facility continues to be shut.
As postpaid mobile services resumed Monday, the joy of subscribers was dented with many finding services disconnected due to non-payment of bills for the period of the suspension of services while SMS services barred across networks.
Customers say the SMS services are linked to banking and several vital facilities, like Aadhar cards, and other services.
“We didn’t receive OTP due to stoppage of the messaging service. The things again become difficult for us,” a Srinagar resident said.

Reader correspondent