Mobile internet services available in Ahmedabad again

Ahmedabad

The mobile internet services in Ahmedabad, which had been suspended since the mid-night of August 25 when statewide violence erupted following the brief detention of the leaders of Patadar Anamat Aandolan Samiti (PAAS), were available again today post 11.00 pm.

The public order issued in this regard by Police Commissioner Shivanand Jha said ‘the step initiated to foil the attempt of rumour mongering by anti social elements on the internet would remain in force till September 2. All the 2G and 3G service providers are directed to abide by this order and also ban the bulk SMS and MMS services in the city, Those defying the order would be liable to punishment under section 188 of the IPC.’

The order however, did not say anything about the time of the restoration of the services.

Meanwhile protest from several quarters against the week long ban had also begun.

The RBI has claimed that the banks in the state have incurred a loss of around 7000 crore owing to the ban that was lifted from other parts of the state yesterday. Some prominent RTI activists have also questioned the rationale behind the ban. Leading industry body FICCI has claimed that the business in the state has suffered 10 to 15 percent loss owing to the move.

Due to the suspended mobile internet services, the common man, professionals and the business community of this commercial capital were equally suffering.

While ban on mobile internet was lifted from other parts of Gujarat on Monday itself, Ahmedabad and Surat were left out. Mobile internet was restored in Surat early today while in Ahmedabad, the services were restored only after 11.00 pm, that too after earlier statement of police commissioner that services will be restored tomorrow at midnight.

At least 150 applications have been filed by consumers against mobile operators for nonavailability of mobile internet.