Communication Gag Cripples Kashmir

Malik Sajid

Kashmir is grappling with agitation and volatile situation since more than 70 days and the suspense over the well being of family and relatives is getting stressful for students and professionals hailing from the Valley and living in different parts of world.




“I am a Kashmiri hailing from Bandipora. I am living at Chandigarh ,since last 8 days. I’ve not been able to talk to my near and dear ones especially my family and am really getting worried. I don’t know anything about my family and the well being of friends . What is the current situation there. I request the government to at least restore phone services immediately ,so that Kashmiris like me can talk to their kith and kin with ease and don’t get sleepless nights ,” wrote Danish Ahmad Lone in an e-mail to The Kashmir Scenario .

Meanwhile, talking to The Kashmir Scenario, Kashmiri students studying in Iran stated –“From last one week we don’t know whereabouts of our dear one’s. We are highly worried about them. The War like situation in Kashmir are making us more worried and frightened. The uncertain notions about our family and relatives are continuously moving in our minds usually after hearing the news of Civilian killings. It is too difficult to live outside Kashmir without talking and without knowing Wellness of our families. Our studies have been badly affected due to uncertainty and situation prevailing in our Kashmir valley .”

A number of business activities have collapsed due to mobile and internet gag.Online businesses and trade affiliated with e-commerce in Kashmir have faced losses worth over Rs 3000 lakh in past more than two months of the ongoing uprising due to ban on mobile Internet and broadband services. Raw estimates suggest that online businesses are incurring Rs 40 to 50 lakh losses on an average daily basis.




Pertinently, courier business has also taken a severe hit. More than 8000 youths were working as courier boys before the agitation began but are now completely jobless.
Analysts believe that Mehbooba Mufti lead Government image has taken a severe beating by suffocating gag on mobile and internet.