(Image source from: economictimes.indiatimes.com)

The government of Jammu and Kashmir said that encrypted mobile communications and Voice on Internet Protocol (VoIP) are being used by the terror outfits in order to plan infiltrations into India and to reactivate their cadre in Kashmir.

Government spokesperson, Rohit Kansal told reporters that sustained efforts are being by the terrorists by using Voice on Internet Protocol and encrypted mobile communications in order to infiltrate from across the border and to reactivate their cadre and scale up anti-national activities not only in the Kashmir division but also also in some areas of Jammu division.

The government had revoked the special status of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and split is into two union territories being Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, on August 5 last year.

Kansal had said that the facilities of landline and mobile telephones and also the SMS facilities have been made fully functional. He added saying that there exists fixed-line broadband facility in Jammu division. The Kashmir division 844 e-terminals have been established in order to facilitate the general public, students, etc. Separate terminals for filling the GST returns and application forms of various examinations and 69 special counters for tourists have been established.

Kansal said that the broadband internet services have been accessible to the government departments which included the ones related to essential services, and state-run hospitals.

The principal secretary, planning and development in the Union territory administration, Kansal said, it has been decided by the competent authority that broadband services will be provided to all the institutions which are providing essential services such as hospitals, banks and government offices and also the trade, tourism and travel establishments in Kashmir, only after considering all the aspects carefully. The aspects include the situation regarding law and order, potential threats to security.

He said that in order to access the white listed websites which includes e-banking will be allowed with 2G mobile connectivity on postpaid mobiles in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udampur and Reasi districts. The government has orderted on Tuesday evening for the restoration of 2G mobile services on post paid connections, complying to the direction that have been issued by Supreme court on January 10.

Kansal added saying that the applications on social media are completely restricted as outlined in the government’s order that has been issued by the competent authority. He said that the endeavour of the government will remain to facilitate as quickly as possible.

He clarified that the overall efforts that are being by the government is not only to ease the restrictions effectively but also to keep the restrictions so as to bare minimum basing the ground situation and to see to it that adequate facilitation is being provided to the people wherever required.

-Shrithika Kushangi