Centre, J-K oppose in SC pleas for 4G network, say high speed net can be used to track troops

New Delhi: The Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration justified in the Supreme Court on Monday the restriction on 4G service in the UT saying high speed internet may be used for sending information about troop movement, and referred to Sunday’s “tragic” deaths of security personnel in an encounter with terrorists. The top court, dealing with PILs seeking restoration of 4G service in the UT, said it has to deal with the legal question of ensuring balance in view of health and security concerns raised by the petitioners and the governments.

The submissions of the Centre and the UT were opposed before a bench, headed by Justice N V Ramana, by senior lawyers Salman Khurshid and Huzefa Ahmadi who were representing parties seeking restoration of 4G, on grounds such as right to access doctors is an inherent under article 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution and it’s deprivation should be judged in view of the coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic.