Lift ban on internet services in Kashmir, J&K students association urge PM Modi, Amit Shah

J&K Students Association, a body of Kashmiri students here, on Sunday, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah requesting them to restore the Internet Services in Kashmir Valley. He added that research scholars are unable to access research literature, download papers, or communicate with researchers outside the state due to the unprecedented internet ban from past five months. He also said that many research scholars were forced to travel outside the Valley and even to places like Drass and Ladakh, covering long distances on road, just to access their emails and send out important emails, apply for conferences online and email papers to research journals in India and other countries. Khuehami emphasised that students and Research Scholars have to travel to Ladakh, which is 400 kilometres away, just to check their emails. He added that the right to internet is a part of right to life and right to education. Abnormal conditions have been induced in Kashmir through restrictions on the internet. The education sector has been the worst victim of the prevailing uncertainty, and with internet services snapped, the students have no source to study at home and clear their concepts. The government has put the careers of these students at stake, by suspending internet services. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate steps to restore Internet Services in Kashmir valley on humanitarian grounds so that students won't face any inconvenience and would be able to fill application forms, prepare for competitive exams and research scholars would be able to access research literature and communicate with researchers outside the state.