Jammu, Dec 27 (NAK): After a ban of around five months and just few hours before the `Judgment Day’ for the 2008 assembly elections, cellular operators resumed Short Service Messaging (SMS) services in Jammu and Kashmir.
Much to the delight of customers, the mobile operators resumed the SMS services this evening. Though it was initially being felt that the restoration of the service was temporary, sources confirmed that the services have been resumed permanently after the state government revoked its earlier order banning the services.
Sources told News Agency of Kashmir that the state government informed the cellular operators that the earlier order passed on August 3, banning the services, due to the Amarnath land agitation has been revoked.
“We had to stop the services after a ban imposed by the state government in the first week of August”, AK Mittal, General Manager (Mobile) BSNL told NAK adding, “The services were resumed today after the ban was lifted by the government”.
The state government had imposed a ban on the SMS services on August 3, claiming that it was being used to whip up communal tension through rumours.
This was followed by a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Bar Association Jammu before the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, at Jammu challenging the ban. A division bench of the High Court, after hearing the Association, lifted the prohibitory ban imposed on SMS services. The Court while allowing the petition had on the ground that restrictions imposed on SMS services and not honouring the curfew passes issued to media was a violation of the fundamental rights of citizens.
However, the state government approached the Supreme Court on August 5, which granted a stay on the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s decision to lift a state-wide ban on SMS services. The Apex Court allowed the plea of the state government that the curbs imposed on SMS services were necessary to prevent unscrupulous elements from misusing them.
Health care Management Seminar Organized by Indian Institute of Public Administration in collaboration with Directorate of ISM., J&K