There has to be balance between personal liberty & national security in Kashmir: SC

Team Udayavani, Oct 1, 2019, 6:55 PM IST

New Delhi: There has to be a balance between personal liberty of an individual and national security, the Supreme Court said Tuesday while hearing the pleas that have raised the issue of curbs in the Kashmir Valley after the abrogation of the provision of Article 370.

The top court’s remarks came after the Jammu and Kashmir administration said that 100 per cent landlines are working in the Valley and their is no restriction on the movement of people during the day time.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for J&K administration, told a bench headed by Justice N V Ramana that if mobile and internet facility were resorted in the Valley, then fake WhatsApp messages would be circulated from “across the border” and it might incite violence there.

Several petitioners, including Executive Editor of Kashmir Times Anuradha Bhasin, activist Tehseen Poonawala and Foundation of Media Professionals, through its president Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, claimed that their was complete lockdown of communication networks and restrictions on movement of journalists.

The bench, also comprising justices R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai, sought response from Centre and asked the petitioners to file their rejoinder and listed the matter in the second week of November.

The apex court also refused to entertain a petition filed by Sameer Kaul seeking restoration of internet communication services in hospitals and directed him to approach the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.