Rebel violence in Indian Kashmir has fallen to its lowest level since an insurgency began nearly two decades ago.
But the central government has banned pre-paid mobile connections in the strife-torn state, leaving nearly three million subscribers disconnected over security concerns.
The ban, which comes days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered fresh talks with Kashmiris, has annoyed local residents while troops deployed in the state are also distressed over getting disconnected from their families.
The ban also put around 20,000 youths in danger of finding themselves without a job.
Is the ban justified at a time when rebel violence is at its lowest and New Delhi is trying to win the hearts and minds of Kashmiris?
The ban follows reports that neither vendors nor service providers carry out thorough identity checks on buyers when issuing a connection.
Until five years ago, intelligence officials resisted attempts by the central government to lift a ban on mobile phone services in the region, fearing they could aid militants in planning attacks.
New Delhi allowed mobile phone services in Kashmir in 2003, eight years after the rest of India, now the world’s fastest-growing market for cellular services.
But security forces say troops have eliminated many militants in Kashmir by tracking their mobile phones and tapping conversations.
The government of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority state, said it would take up the issue of banning pre-paid connections with New Delhi to ensure that genuine users do not suffer and security is also not compromised.
“It is not a positive development,” a state government spokesman said.
Will the ban on pre-paid mobile phone connections in Kashmir further alienate people?
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Ganesh
- Posted by azadyou should be made security consultant for chidambaram… brilliant idea ma. why I never thought about it before. keep posting mate.
This is typical Delhi heavyhandedness that will cost India dearly. If security was a concern, here was a golden opportunity to make prepaid cards very easily available, with the hidden catch being that the operator allowed all conversations to be tapped. Not only would they have avoided pissing off the entire state’s population, they could also have listened in on the calls that would have tipped them off about terrorist activities.
Good to see the unimaginative babu mentality is alive and well in Delhi, 25 years after the death of the original heavyhanded prime minister.
Ganesh
- Posted by Ganesh Prasad@I dont know why people in security feel scared sitting in delhi.”
- Posted by accram
-Because they have to rule from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, not just Delhi.
Some commenters make it sound as if this move gives some sadistic pleasure to the govt.
- Posted by rajeevIts is one more expamle set up by India that they have kept kashmiris at their mercy. When all the kashmiris feel safe in kashmir with mobile services on. I dont know why people in security feel scared sitting in delhi.
- Posted by accramthere are many ways of ensuring that genuine users do not suffer and so called security is also not compromised, why dont they just ask the operators to cross examine the users and only stop the services of doubtful subscribers. As far as alienation is concerned government of India least bothered what people of Kashmir think and want.
- Posted by tanve