Kashmir Internet ban violation of fundamental rights, says India’s top court

 Supreme court of India

NEW DELHI, Jan 10 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Indian government’s ban on the Internet in Kashmir is illegal and must be reviewed, India’s Supreme Court said on Friday.

Phone and Internet services were suspended in Kashmir region more than five months ago as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special autonomous status.

Some of the sweeping restrictions on telecommunication services have been relaxed but millions in the region remain without Internet access.

A Supreme Court bench headed by judge N.V. Ramana asked the government “to review all orders suspending internet services forthwith.”

It said suspending the Internet “indefinitely is impermissible” under the laws.