lswcap
Kashmir, a mountainous region near the border of northern India and northeastern Pakistan, is an unstable region where the conflict between India and Pakistan continues. In the midst of this, the Indian government enforced an internet blockade in Jammu and Kashmir, and it is said that the Internet was not available until August 5-11.
Jammu and Kashmir is the only region in India that is dominated by Muslims. It is also the forefront of the conflict between India and Pakistan. The Indian government recognized the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir for various religious and political reasons, but on August 5th, Prime Minister Modi declared the abolition of autonomy, resulting in a backlash from residents.
Also, a few hours before the declaration of the abolition of autonomy, mobile phones, internet and wired communications in Jammu and Kashmir were stopped. In addition to information that numerous soldiers were gathered in some areas of the capital city of Srinagar, there were reports that local leaders were under house arrest.
In India, communication networks such as the Internet have recently developed rapidly, but at the same time, it is known that the Indian government frequently blocks the Internet. In 2018, the Internet was blocked 134 times. It has left its name as the government that blocked the most internet in the world beyond the 12 times of Pakistan, the second most internet blocker in the world.
Some of the reasons for blocking the Internet include curbing political protests, preventing the spread of rumors, and preventing cheating on elections and student exams. Blocking the Internet is simple, and it is said to be a structure that can immediately stop providing the Internet if the authorities contact the Internet company.
In Jammu and Kashmir, where the Internet was already blocked for 11 days, life was disrupted. The operator, who runs a pharmacy in Srinagar, says that everyone uses the Internet to order medicines, but he can’t do anything. He says he is advising local residents to be careful about the outbreak of disease because they cannot get the medicine they need for treatment.
It is said that both doctors and patients are in trouble due to the lack of drugs such as insulin and daily necessities such as baby food. To make a call, you have to use a landline phone installed in a specific government-designated location, and you have to spend a lot of time waiting for a few minutes to talk.
Smartphones, which used to be a tool to enjoy entertainment, became a simple metal block as the Internet was blocked. In addition, one business that sells traditional handicrafts online has been closed due to loss of contact with suppliers and customers. Internet blocking has occurred several times so far, but this time it is the worst among them.
The Indian government is justifying blocking the Internet for peace and tranquility because the Internet spreads misinformation and deceives people. However, it is pointed out that the damage to the Indian government by Internet blocking is more serious. According to ICRIER (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) survey , the Internet was blocked from 2012 to 2017, resulting in economic losses of more than $3 billion. For example, due to the Internet blockade in 2017 conducted by Darjeeling, tea production, a major industry in the local economy, stopped, and existing overseas customers did not return even after the Internet was restored.
Also, the spread of rumors did not disappear by blocking the Internet. Locally, it was rumored that security forces fired and slaughtered at the Srinagar protesters, but the fact was that there were injuries but no deaths when the relationship was investigated.
Some point out that new dangers may arise if the Internet is blocked from work and entertainment. Young people who are dissatisfied with the government could also protest and throw stones at the police. Related information can be found here .
Add comment