Srinagar: In the matter of restoration of 4G internet in Jammu and Kashmir, the Supreme Court has ordered setting up of a high powered committee to look into the contentions raised by various petitioners. The committee has to be headed by the Ministry of Home Affairs Secretary. Currently, even 2G mobile internet remains out of bound in the Valley.
Before announcing the order, Justice NV Ramana stated, “This court has to ensure national security and human rights are balanced. We do recognize that UT has plunged into crisis. At the same time court is cognizant to the concerns related to ongoing pandemic and hardships.”
The high-speed internet was snapped on the intervening night of 4 and 5 August by the administration. It also snapped all means of communications and scrapped the erstwhile state’s partial-autonomy.
The high-powered committee will headed by Secretary MHA to include Secretary, Ministry of Communications, and Chief Secretary Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bench comprised of Justices NV Ramana, R. Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai will pass the order.
While the Petitioners contended that the restrictions have had a deleterious impact on multiple fundamental rights of the citizens, the Respondents averred that the restrictions were necessary for national security.(KW)
