The Central government has given the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir the power to control telecom services in the union territory. This authority includes managing services like signal interception, service suspension, and message decryption during public safety events or national emergencies.
A notification from the Union Government issued on Thursday authorized the LG to exercise these powers. Under Sub-Section 20 (2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), the President directed the LG to handle situations related to public safety and national security within the Union territory.
The LG can now block transmissions, allow interceptions, order message decryption, and suspend telecom services during public emergencies or for public safety reasons. This control is often used during counterinsurgency operations to prevent terrorists from communicating with their associates outside the operation area.
Authorities frequently suspend telecom services in areas under anti-terrorist operations to hinder terrorists from seeking help or monitoring security forces’ movements. Additionally, having control over telecom services aids intelligence agencies and security forces in intercepting terrorist communications and locating them accurately.
