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Opposition parties criticise social media ban in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Xinhua, April 27, 2017 Adjust font size:

The pro-India opposition parties lashed out at the local government in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir over its social media ban, saying it would impact business community.

"The continued blockade of internet will seriously affect our businesses and especially youth-oriented new start-ups in the e-commerce sector that depend primarily on internet accessibility and its penetration," said Farooq Abdullah, head of the regional party National Conference.

Abdullah described the ban on internet and social media as "communication blockade," saying it would impact the employment in the region.

"This will in turn lead to an increase in unemployment as the private sector, especially the tourism, will be severely hit," he said.

Abdullah recently won the by-election of Srinagar constituency for Indian parliament. He has served as the chief minister of the restive region besides being a senior minister in the Indian government.

On Wednesday, local government alleging misuse of social media banned social networking sites for a period of one month.

As per the directive internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been asked to stop transmission of around 22 social networking sites with immediate effect.

The government cautioned violators of the order shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of law.

Another pro-India leader Ghulam Hassan Mir said "the ban imposed by the government on social media will halt the trade communities and can have serious consequences."

Mobile internet service on 3G and 4G already remains banned in the restive region for the past two weeks.

Initially on April 9, internet in the region was suspended on the day of Indian elections in Srinagar constituency that saw widespread protests and killings of eight civilians.

The ban has come at a time when hundreds of school and college students are staging protests and clashing with government forces in the region.

Recent videos highlighting rights abuses from protesters as well as government forces have been shared extensively on social media and have pushed the region to the edge.

A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endit