As the authorities once again snapped internet services in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the traders and students have expressed outrage over the move and sought its immediate restoration so that their routine activities are not hampered further.The internet was snapped after the killing of three militants and one civilian lady during an encounter at Unisoo in Handwara area of the Kupwara district. The traders of Kupwara district while expressing dismay over the frequent barring of the internet by authorities on law and order pretext said that their business gets heavily affected due to web shutdown.“Now-a-days, we are increasingly reliable on internet. However due to frequent banning of internet, our limited hour business is getting affected every now and then. The government boasts about digital India programme but the reality on ground is otherwise. In this ultra-modern era, we are being deprived of internet services because of law and order issues,” said Abdul Rashid, a trader in Kupwara Town.
The traders appealed concerned authorities to immediately restore the internet so that they are not put to further inconvenience. The college students on the other hand also complained about the inconveniences they are facing due to snapping of Internet since last night.The students said the government on the pretext of maintaining law and order puts entire population to inconvenience by scuttling communication. “You cannot think of preparing examinations without internet in contemporary times and authorities should realise it,” said a college student from Handwara.Many other students said that at a time when exams at various levels were going on, the students have been deprived of Internet services which help them in preparations. They said that the SSRB has issued forms recently and the last date for submission of those forms is December 11, today. “We urge authorities to kindly restore all modes of Internet services as soon as possible,” the students demanded. (GNS)