4G internet restoration: Omar says better late than never

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday announced that 4G mobile internet services are being restored in the entire Union Territory. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah reacted to the announcement said that entire Jammu and Kashmir will have 4G mobile data service for the first time after 18 months.

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday announced the restoration of 4G mobile Internet services in the entire Union Territory.

Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the restoration of 4G internet mobile services in the Union Territory. The decision comes as the government faces increasing criticism at home and internationally for imposing curbs on the high-speed Internet.

The order asked the authorised officers to 'ensure compliance…by the service providers forthwith'.

The officers 'shall also closely monitor the impact of the lifting of restrictions', it said.

"4G mobile internet services being restored in J&K," Rohit Kansal, J&K Administration spokesperson tweeted on Friday evening.

National Conference vice president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also welcomed the development as "better late than never" in his reaction, shortly after the LG's administration announced the restoration of the 4G mobile internet services in entire J&K after an over 18-month long suspension.

"I thank the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Ji and HM @AmitShah Ji for acceding to our request and restoring 4G services in the entire J&K UT. The move will fulfil the aspirations of the people, particularly the youth," the office of LG J&K said in a tweet.

4G mobile internet was restored at 11:10 pm on Friday.

The restoration of the 4G internet services in the entire J&K comes close on the heels of a four-day visit of Manoj Sinha to the Union Capital where he met the Union Home Minister and top officials in the central government.

"4G Mubarak! For the first time since Aug 2019 all of J&K will have 4G mobile data. Better late than never," tweeted Abdullah in his first reaction to the news.

In a tweet on the official Twitter handle of J&K Apni Party, its president Altaf Bukhari also extended gratitude to the Prime Minister for restoring the 4G mobile internet services.

Terming it as a "positive development" for students and the youth of J&K, Bukhari thanked the Prime Minister for fulfilling this demand of the people of J&K.

In 2019, during the intervening night of August 4 and 5, internet services were snapped in Jammu and Kashmir. Following which the special status of the erstwhile state was revoked by the central government.

Internet services were suspended by the authorities on ground of anticipated law and order situations as a result of the decisions.

With inputs from agencies