SRINAGAR: Srinagar, Sept 24: Fearing law and order problem in view of slaughtering of bovine animals in the Valley on Eid days, Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday decided to suspend internet services in Kashmir for two days beginning tomorrow.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir S J M Gillani has written a letter to heads of all mobile and internet service providers in the Valley and asked them to snap internet connectivity of its subscribers in the Valley on Eid days on September 25 and 26.
“In view of the apprehension of misuse of data services and internet by anti-national elements, which is likely to cause deterioration in law and order situation, you are requested to complete snap down the data services through GPRR/2G/3G and Broadband in Kashmir Valley starting from 25-9-2015 0500 hours to 26-9-2015 2200 hours,” read the IGP Kashmir’s letter bearing No CS/KZ/15/644-50 dated 24-9-2015.
The letter has been addressed to Nodal officers of Airtel, Aircel, Idea, Relaince, Vodafone , General Manager BSNL and Dishnet Wirless Ltd (Aircel).
Sources said the decision to suspend mobile services in the Valley was taken at a high level security meeting chaired by State police chief K Rajendra.
They said gag on internet has been placed in view of fears that people in the Valley would defy recent High Court order directing the government to enforce the ban on slaughter of bovines and sale of beef.
“We apprehend that people may post pictures and videos of slaughtering bovine animals on social media networking sites and Whtsapp groups. The circulation of these pictures and videos can lead to communal tension and unrest in Jammu and other parts of the country,” they said adding after discussing the issue threadbare it was decided by police to snap internet on Eid days.
J&K High Court had on September 8 while hearing a petition filed by BJP leader directed J&K police chief to enforce ban on sale of beef in the State and take action against the violators.
The separatist and religious leaders have asked people to defy the ban and sacrifice bovine animals on Eid-ul-Azha.
Meanwhile, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has asked people not to make and share the videos of the slaughtering of the sacrificial animals.
“Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had prohibited slaughtering of one animal in front of another animal. Muslims should sacrifice animals in every way but should not do this for just display,” he said.