Why the telecommunication services stopped in Jammu and Kashmir? Center refuses to give information to parliamentary committee; Stated this reason

Citing security reasons, the Home Ministry has told the Lok Sabha that information related to the shutdown of Internet and telecom services in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be given. Ajay Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, wrote a letter to General Secretary of Lok Sabha Snehalata Srivastava, “Given the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the details of shutting down of telecom and internet services cannot be shared. This is in the interest of the people and the state. ‘

He also said in his letter that the matter of shutting down the Internet in Jammu and Kashmir is still pending in the Supreme Court. Using Rule 270 of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, he said, “The government can refuse to submit any documents related to the security of the state”.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, had asked the Home Ministry representative to appear in the matter. Additional secretary Govind Mohan appeared before the panel but sources said that he refused to give any information related to shutting down the Internet. When asked about the shutdown of communication services in other states, he said, “This has been done to maintain law and order.”

Home Secretary Bhalla said in his letter, “The Lok Sabha Secretariat has been verified that the committee wants to talk about shutting down the Internet in Jammu and Kashmir.” The Ministry of Home Affairs has already made its statement in this regard on 16 October 2020. There is no need to say anything other than this.