Telecom and internet shut down in Jammu and Kashmir, Center refuses to respond to parliamentary committee

- Only for security reasons

New delhi date. Thursday 26 November 2020

The government refused in the Lok Sabha to answer why telecom and internet were shut down in Jammu and Kashmir. The parliamentary committee had questioned the central government as to why telecom and internet services were shut down in Jammu and Kashmir.

The central government refused to respond to the parliamentary committee. Only for security reasons. In a letter to Lok Sabha General Secretary Snehalta Srivastava, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said details of why telecom and internet services were shut down could not be given in view of the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The move was taken keeping in view the security of the state.

Bhalla also said that a case was pending in the Supreme Court over the issue of internet services being shut down in Jammu and Kashmir. Implementing Procedure and Conduct of Rule 270 in the Lok Sabha, Bhalla further wrote that the Center could refuse to answer any question due to security concerns.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, asked the Union Home Secretary to appear before it to answer the question. Govind Mohan, Additional Secretary, Home Department, appeared before the committee but flatly refused to give a reason for the shutdown.

Asked why services like telecom and internet were shut down in other states, Govind Mohan said it was necessary for security and to maintain law and order.