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According to the latest reports, the Central Government, on Wenesday, mentioned that it has plans for banning prepaid mobile connections in Kashmir for security reasons. This can affect nearly 38 lakh people of the state who use prepaid connections from various operators.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram disclosed this while addressing the media in Srinagar at the All India Editors’ Conference organised by Press Information Bureau.
This decision has been adopted by the government after reports of militants using prepaid mobiles connections under forged names were reported. These connections were used by these people for communication purposes.
He said the government has been making efforts to persuade pre-paid subscribers to switch to post-paid connections due to security issues.
"We may have to ban the pre-paid mobile services in Kashmir valley for a while if our efforts (at persuasion) do not succeed," he added.
When asked about the absence of roaming facilities in the prepaid connections of Kashmir, he answered, "Why you want to keep pre-paid SIM card? Why don’t you take a post-paid connection?".
Airtel has nearly 19 lakh subscribers followed by BSNL having 12 lakh and Aircel having seven lakh.
