BackJ&K administration to SC: In around 99% area no restrictions are there
SC asks Centre, state govt for a definite timeline for complete removal of restrictionsState administration also tells SC that the restrictions are being reviewed daily
PremiumThe Jammu and Kashmir state administration on Thursday tells the Supreme Court that, “in around 99 percent area, no restrictions are there". Solicitor general appearing for the state also submitted that the restrictions are being reviewed daily.
The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice NV Ramana and comprising of Justices R Subhash Reddy, and BR Gavai were hearing a batch of petitions on the restrictions imposed on the media and communication in the valley.
The three-judge bench asked the central and the state government for a definite timeline for the complete removal of restrictions. The top court also observed that the government may impose restrictions in the name of national interest, but it has to be reviewed from time to time. The solicitor general told the court that restrictions on Internet were going on as the issue has "cross border implications".
The state government has filed an additional affidavit in the apex court in this matter stating that, “all post-paid mobile phones, irrespective of the telecom service provider, have been restored and are functional from 14.10.2019, covering all 10 districts of Kashmir province".
Advocate Vrinda Grover appearing for the petitioners objected to the submissions that the restrictions are still prevalent causing difficulties to the people residing there.
The state submitted that “it has been ensured that supply of food, medicines and other necessities were never interrupted nor was access to hospitals or other medical facilities."
The bunch of petitions related to restrictions like curbs on media and movement in Jammu and Kashmir, violation of children’s and minors’ rights, illegal detention of children, restoration of landlines and medical facilities in the Valley shall be heard by the three-judge bench next on 5 November.
The same three-judge bench also referred a bunch of other cases filed between 2012-18 which had prayed for abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A to the special constitution bench which shall hear the new batch of cases that challenged removal of special status 14 November. The constitutional bench hearing the cases on the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370 is headed by Justice NV Ramana and comprising of Justices SK Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant.
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