Govt cannot suppress rights to prevent terrorism in Valley: Hannan Mollah

With the Bharatiya Janta Party-led central government justifying the continuing internet shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir as a measure to prevent terrorism, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau leader Hannan Mollah rubbished the argument and said that the government cannot suppress fundamental rights to tackle terrorism.

New Delhi/Jammu and Kashmir: With the internet shutdown imposed in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5 yet to be lifted on grounds of what the Bharatiya Janta Party-led Centre calls 'prevention of criminal activities', Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau leader criticised the move and said that the government cannot suppress fundamental rights to tackle terrorism.

"This argument does not hold truth. If the government wants to tackle terrorism or any unlawful activity, they need to come up with a solution that does not affect the people's right to communication, to express their opinion, freedom of democratic space. You cannot suppress all these rights by arguing that it is being done to prevent terrorism," Mollah told ETV Bharat.

On government claiming that there is peace in the Valley, the former Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal said, "In order to attain long term peace you have to attain confidence of the common people, and establish their faith in the administration. By using force you cannot achieve allegiance of the people. May be they are silent because of fear but with the culture of bayonet you cannot achieve long term peace."

"There are political, democratic solutions available, "added Mollah.

Meanwhile, the Centre claims to have established 1144 terminals with internet facilities, 74 special counters, e-kiosks etc to provide relief to the people in the valley.

Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said, "As of now, there are no restrictions on voice calling services and SMS facility, both on post-paid and pre-paid mobile services. Mobile data services and internet access through fixed line has also been restored with certain restrictions."

"Considering the past history of terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir being proactively supported from across the border, concerned authorities of the government of Jammu and Kashmir, as a preventive step, imposed certain restrictions," said Reddy in the Lok Sabha.

He said that concerned authorities in J&K continuously review removing of such restrictions based on the ground situation.

Reddy was replying to a question in the House over imposition of restrictions on communications in J&K following abrogation of Article 370.

He informed that department of telecommunications notified "Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 under which, the directions to suspend the telecom services, including internet in an area, can either be issued by the Union Home Secretary of Home Secretary of the State concerned.