Kashmir is all set to hold the top slot when it comes about the longest internet gagged destination in the world. The frequent internet shutdown in the valley is nothing new for the people of the region as the routine suspension seems like a trend for them nowadays but since August 5, post abrogation of Article 370, there has been no internet in the Valley for the past 47 days which approximately mean 11000 hours.According to wire service Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in the past one decade, the internet service was suspended and restored multiple times. But this time around, the valley is going to break all the records, as at present the gag isn’t limited to only mobile internet services but broadband, lease line, and even V-Sat services continues to remain suspended since August 5, in the aftermath of the revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of J&K into the two Union Territories (UT’s).According to a recent study conducted by International Council on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) which states that, “The anatomy of the internet blackout: Measuring the economic impact of internet shutdowns in India has stated in their study that 34 internet shutdowns in the year 2017 caused losses worth 1776 crores to the valleys economy.
The study further revealed that the frequent suspension of the internet services has dealt a body blow to Kashmir’s fragile economy resulting in losses of about 4000 crores since 2013. According to the estimates of study, the present gag is longest ever in the history of globe.Furthermore the Cellular Operators Association of India an amalgam of GSM mobile players, have revealed that the overall telecom industry operating in the valley suffers the loss of Rs 2 crores on daily basis when the calling and data services are suspended.A telecom operator of a leading company, having vast experience in Kashmir, said that the present communication gag is longest in a decade. “In 2016, internet was suspended in Kashmir for 133 days but V-Sat, landline broadband and lease lines were operational. This time, the case is different at all. There is a complete blackout this time around,” he told KNO, on the condition of anonymity.As per the official, second longest internet suspension was witnessed in Darjeeling, West Bengal where internet remained suspended for 100 days from June 18, 2017 to September 25, 2017. “This is for the first time that all means of internet were sapped. The gag this time around is complete and full,” he added. (KNO)