Authors
Shaminder started off his career as a freelance journalist for a consulting and research firm. He has been a Political Strategist and Media Manager. Before joining Newschecker, he worked with various reputed media agencies like Daily Post India, PTC News.
Claim:
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) orders immediate restoration of high speed internet services in Jammu and Kashmir
Verification:
Even as the whole country has put up a united fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak, rumor-mongering messages and graphics have been flooding social media. A circular claiming to be from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is doing rounds on various platforms.
The text of the circular reads, “High-speed (4G) mobile internet services will be restored by tonight in all districts of Jammu, whereas 4G internet services suspension will continue in all districts of Kashmir till fresh assessment of the situation. However, any misuse of internet facilities will result in legal action,”
We found that several journalists and Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, also shared the viral circular on their respective Twitter handle. However, they deleted their Tweets later on.
The claim was also sent by several readers to Newschecker’s WhatsApp helpline number for verification.
Fact Check:
As we began our fact check, we checked the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs, to see if any circular restoring the internet in the Jammu division had been issued. During our search, we did not find any circular issued by the MHA.
We checked the official Twitter handle of the Department of Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir. The DIPR Tweet made it clear that the order being circulated on social media is fake. It reads, “This is a fake order. The order issued earlier by the MHA, which extended the suspension of telecom services in Jammu and Kashmir, is valid up to March 26”.
This is a fake order. The order issued earlier vide https://t.co/nBBQMj99kd is valid up to 26/03/20. pic.twitter.com/H5GPi0VfgG
— DIPR-J&K (@diprjk) March 25, 2020
We also found a Tweet by ANI, which carried out a statement by MHA on the issue.
Neither the Ministry of Home Affairs nor the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued any such orders. The news report is not true: MHA on reports of 4G services restored in J&K pic.twitter.com/SqEVJvoaJK
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2020
Conclusion:
It is evident from our fact check that neither the Ministry of Home Affairs nor the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued any such orders. The circular viral on social media is not true.
Result: False
Sources
Google Search
Media Reports
Twitter Search
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Authors
Shaminder started off his career as a freelance journalist for a consulting and research firm. He has been a Political Strategist and Media Manager. Before joining Newschecker, he worked with various reputed media agencies like Daily Post India, PTC News.
