J&K | 2 Journalists Detained Under Safety Act This Year, Internet Services Completely Restored: Centre

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said police are duty bound to take action against any person who is involved in activities prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the country.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed the Rajya Sabha that the internet was restored in a graded manner.

New Delhi: Two persons associated with media organisations had been detained in Jammu and Kashmir under the Public Safety Act, this year, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, according to a PTI report. Rai made the statement while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha whether Jammu and Kashmir has seen an increase in detention of journalists and local media organisations and a rise in the number of internet shutdowns by authorities since the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A in August 2019.

As per the PTI report, Rai in a written reply said, "During the current year, two individuals associated with media organisations have been detained under Public Safety Act as reported by the government of Jammu and Kashmir”. 

He also said that after the constitutional changes on August 5, 2019, the internet was temporarily suspended to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of the public in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the internet was restored in Jammu and Kashmir in a graded manner and currently there are no restrictions on the services, PTI reported.

The police are duty-bound to take action against any person who (without any discrimination of profession or otherwise) is found involved in such activities prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the country.

The order to suspend internet services issued by competent authorities, under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, during an emergency situation, is uploaded on the official website of the government of Jammu and Kashmir, said Rai as reported by PTI.