In a significant move towards restoring 4G access in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the central government told the Supreme Court on August 11 that 4G internet can be provided to one district each in Jammu and Kashmir after August 15 on a trial basis, provided that neither of the chosen districts were adjoining the international border or Line of Control (LoC). The outcome of this trial will be reviewed after two months and its impact will be assessed by the State Level Committee at least every week, Attorney General of India K.K. Venugopal said in the Supreme Court. It is currently now known if the two districts in question have been identified or not. The decision was taken after the third meeting of the Special Committee was convened on August 10, the Centre told the Supreme Court, in an additional affidavit submitted by Venugopal. “[D]espite the current security situation” in Jammu and Kashmir, and in the surrounding areas, where the threat perception “continues to be high”, this decision was taken, the affidavit said. In the previous hearing on August 7 on the contempt petition filed by the Foundation for Media Professional, the court had directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to seek instructions from the Centre about whether 4G internet can be restored in Jammu and Kashmir, at least in some areas. At the time, Mehta had said that he would need to take fresh instructions since a new Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and…
