With only postpaid mobile phone services of all cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), made operational after remaining suspended for 70 days in Kashmir valley, the authorities in a fresh order said that no pre-paid mobile connection would be converted into post-paid.
The gag on broadband and mobile internet services of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), continued since August 5.
As a precautionary measure, the government ordered suspension of all communication network, including landline and mobile phones besides internet connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, when the Centre scrapped Article 370, besides bifurcating the state into two Union Territories.
However, landlines and mobile phones besides broadband services were restored in Jammu and Ladakh region after about a fortnight.
After sharp reaction from people who could not get in contact with their relatives outside the valley, district administrations and security forces opened special booths to enable people to call their dear ones.
Later, landlines phones were resumed in Kashmir valley in a phased manner from last week of August to September 5. This was followed by restoration of post-paid mobile connections of all Cellular companies in the valley on October 14.
However, pre-paid and internet service remained suspended, badly affecting lakhs of customers, particularly students, professionals and media persons.
Customers, who had pre-paid mobile, immediately converted their connections into postpaid after paying more money. ”Those who have converted their prepaid into postpaid until October 17 are valid,” an official of mobile company said, adding no fresh case will be converted now.
There are clear instructions that no prepaid mobile connection should be converted into postpaid, he said.
According to different reports, crores of rupees have been collected by different Cellular companies from their customers for pre-paid connections in the valley before the service was suspended on August 5. The companies have refused to repay the money already paid by the customers to them for availing pre-paid service.
Meanwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik and Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh besides other senior civil and police officers have said that gag on all type of communication was necessary to save the lives of people after August 5.
They said prepaid mobile and internet services would not be restored since there are reports that it could be misused by people from across the border. (UNI)
