SRINAGAR: BSNL is expected to restore high-speed broadband service within ten days in Kashmir after an unprecedented six months long shutdown.
The internet across Kashmir was suspended on the eve of abrogation of Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special status in the Indian constitution. Apart from scrapping the special status, the state was also downgraded into two union territories.
A senior BSNL official privy to the development told Kashmir Reader that the restoration process of broadband service is at the last stage and people will soon get access to high speed internet.
Almost 90 percent of people in the region are dependent for the high-speed internet on the state-owned telecom company. But despite partial restoration of internet including 2G mobile services on January 25, BSNL was not allowed to restore service until installing firewall for blocking social media. The government has restricted internet to only 1500 whitelisted websites.
The BSNL official said that the team of engineers which was brought from outside Jammu and Kashmir have been working to install firewall.
“They (engineers) are working day and night for installing firewall and it can be completed within 7-10 days. The work is almost done, and people will soon get good news about resumption of internet services,” said the official pleading anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to media.
According to him, internet will be provided to all BSNL subscribers but access will be restricted to only whitelisted websites.
A top police official was quoted by a news agency saying that the internet services can be restored by BSNL subject to installation of firewall. Police has been closely monitoring social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter to keep tab on netizens. Recently, a case was filed against netizens for “misuse” of social media under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Junaid Nabi Bazaz