The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Central government and Jammu and Kashmir administration to file its detailed response on a petition seeking restoration of 4G mobile internet services in the Union Territory. A three-judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana asked the Centre and J&K administration to get information about the ground reality in the Union Territory and file a detailed affidavit by Sunday. The matter was scheduled forfurther hearing on Monday. During the hearing held through video conferencing,Attorney General KK Venugopal said that restoration of 4G internet is aquestion of national security. "It is a very serious issue.

Militancy is still there. When a militant was recently killed, about 500 people came for the funeral. They are being made into martyrs. There are serious issues in J&K. Its a question of nationalsecurity," Venugopal said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought more timeto file an affidavit in the matter saying there are some communication andother issues.

 Advocate HuzefaAhmadi, appearing for the petitioner, said that a notice was issued on April 10in the matter adding that the Centre and J&K administration could havefiled a response by now. "Still, if they need some more time, please askthem to do it expeditiously: Ahmadi said.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by an NGO namedFoundation for Media Professionals, seeking its directions for the restorationof 4G mobile internet services in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the country-widelockdown imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Notably, internetservices were suspended in Jammu and Kashmir in August last year after theabrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two UnionTerritories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. While 2G services on postpaidmobile phones and broadband have been restored, 4G services still remain suspended.