Internet Shutdowns

Indonesia has blocked internet access in West Papua, a move that followed the government deployment of additional military and police personnel to the region to help to quell ongoing protests and secure vital public facilities.

Pakistan has shut down internet access in Azad Kashmir as of amid widening protests against Article370 revocation;

Mobile internet services were suspended in 10 police stations of Jaipur to prevent spread of rumors after a clash between two groups, following an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims, reports the Hindustan Times. Internet has been suspended in Ramganj and Galta Gate police stations. According to the report, some people pelted a carrying Kanwariyas, and 20 buses were damaged in the situation. India Today reports the police as saying that they have identified 3 people who were spreading rumours on social media that people were being forced to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’, but this didn’t happen. Others involved in spreading the rumour are being pursued, per the report.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country in the wake of Centre’s decisions on abrogating provisions of Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation the state into two union territories. He said the decision to scrap Article 370 will usher a new era of development in Jammu and Kashmir. He also urged industries to come and invest in the region. Meanwhile, internet services in Kargil have been interrupted after massive protests throughout the day, Earlier in the day, the Samjhauta Express arrived in India after Pakistan had stopped it earlier in the day. India had sent a train engine along with crew members to escort stranded passengers from Pakistan.

Internet, mobile, and landline services were shut down for various lengths of time in Jammu and Kashmir from 5 August 2019 to 5 February 2021 to curb backlash during the state’s special status consideration under Article 370. Landlines were allowed from 18 August 2019. Postpaid mobile services were allowed from 14 October 2019. Broadband services for essential purposes were restored on 15 January 2020. 4G services were restored on 5 February 2021. Overall, the region experienced 213 days of no Internet and 550 days of partial or no connectivity, the longest shutdown in a democratic country at the time. Internet shutdowns during civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries. The impact of this shutdown was compounded also by COVID-19 stay-at-home laws. Between August 2019 and July 2020, the economy of Kashmir lost INR 400,000 million and more than 100,000 jobs—mostly in the sectors of handicrafts, tourism, and information technology. Schoolchildren were particularly hampered during this time, as they weren't able to participate in online learning due to the reduced Internet speeds. Global climate change researchers were also impacted, not able to get access to important data from the sensitive Himalayan region.    

Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Put Under House Arrest, Internet Services Snapped as Kashmir Remains Tense.

The BBC Russian Service has reportedly obtained a letter that indicates Moscow law enforcement officials ordered cellular Internet services to be shut down during last Saturday’s protest for free elections

A militant was killed and a soldier injured in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Sopore in this north Kashmir district, official sources said. Mobile internet service has been suspended in Sopore as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours.

Several persons were injured when security forces fired pellets, burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse demonstrators who were trying to disrupt Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) against militants in south Kashmir district of Shopian. A soldier was martyred and another was injured in the encounter with militants which was going on when the reports last came in. Internet mobile service has been suspended in Shopian as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours

A complete shutdown was observed in Tral township of Pulwama district  against the killing of a local Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant.