Communication gag: Parents of students studying outside J&K under stress |KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, Sept 18 (KNO): As the cellular culmination and internet service blockade continues in Valley for over 45 consecutive days, the families have been disconnected with their wards studying in outside Kashmir colleges and universities. According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), since almost a month, there has been no communication between the families as the authorities have suspended the telecommunication services and internet facilities across Valley. The decision to snap the service was taken 12 hours ahead of the government decision to abrogate the Article 370 and declaration f J&K as Union territory (UT). “Almost 45 days have passed and I have talked to my son just once by using satellite phone available at DC office Baramulla. I have no whereabouts of my son for almost a month now,” Muhammad Aslam Dar, a resident of Baramulla told KNO. There has been no communication between parents and their kids since the government suspended telecommunication services and internet facilities. Parents are also worried about the safety and security of their kids hired by different multi-national companies (MNCs) in different states outside Jammu and Kashmir. “Even our kids are not updated about well-being of their parents and other family members. Government has left us in complete distress and anxiety,” Adil Nisar, whose brother is working in an MNC in New Delhi, told KNO. Earlier, the divisional administration had set up one each satellite phone service facility at the offices of deputy commissioners for the parents to communicate with their kids studying in educational institutions outside J&K or doing private jobs in different companies. However, the service later was dysfunctional due to technical snags and non-payment of bills. “The administration has restored landline phone but the facility is not available in rural areas and villages. Even, people in towns and cities are now in process of installation of new landline connection,” Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Bahrampora Sopore told KNO. Amid, the communication gag, most of the deputy commissioners had taken up the matter with the administration to restore the mobile calling services so that parents will remain connected with their kids who are in outside states. “Even restoration of mobile services will pave way for reopening of schools as parents don’t want to send their kids to schools amid the communication gag,” one of the deputy commissioners told KNO. He said the administration has acknowledged that mobile services will be restored in valley but no formal orders have been issued yet. Meanwhile, parents have appealed the administration to restore the mobile service facility keeping in view the anxiety and insecurity among parents for their kids who are away from their families. “This communication breakdown has left families disconnected. This is a mental torture which is totally unbearable,” Mudasir Ahmad, a resident of Kupwara told KNO. (KNO)