Source: Hueiyen News Service
New Delhi, November 17 2009:
The Supreme Court on Monday wanted to know from the Centre the rationale behind its decision to ban pre-paid mobile services in militancy-affected Jammu and Kashmir but refused a plea to stay the decision.
On a petition by Panthers Party, a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam issued notice to the ministry of home affairs and also to the state government seeking their response within two weeks.
Party chief Bhim Singh argued that the decision to ban pre-paid mobile service in the state from November 1 has rendered thousands jobless and feared that it could affect the ongoing operation against militancy as those fighting the menace were mainly dependent on mobile phones in far flung areas.
"About 25,000 SPOs and village defence committee members who are operating in forests stand cut off from their operational headquarters plunging the militancy affected areas and security of the civilians into catastrophe," the petitioner apprehended.