Regional shutdown
Mobile
South Kashmir (Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Awantipora)
Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of South Kashmir, including Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, and Awantipora, on 5 February 2021 (between 00:01 to 20:00 local time) to maintain law and order during Kashmir Solidarity Day that was observed in neighboring Pakistan. Internet shutdowns during protests or 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.
- Total Duration 19 hours
India
- Population
- 1,450,935,791
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of South Kashmir, including Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, and Awantipora, on 5 February 2021 (between 00:01 to 20:00 local time) to maintain law and order during Kashmir Solidarity Day that was observed in neighboring Pakistan. Internet shutdowns during protests or 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.
Other supporting information
It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level.
Social media
*INTERNET UPDATE*
— muqeet muhammad (@muqeetshah7) February 4, 2021
*Internet 2G Data Services on Mobile cellular networks Snapped in South Kashmir*
*Mobile 2G Internet services on Mobile phones snapped in South Kashmir’s Kulgam, Shopain Anantnag and in Pulwama parts*
Media coverage
The Kashmir Observer has documented the impact of long-lived Internet shutdowns on the young people in Kashmir.