The central government has officially granted the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, expanded powers over telecommunication services. This move, formalized through an official gazette notification on May 7, 2026, allows the LG to direct the interception of communications, order the decryption of messages, block transmission signals, and suspend telecom services. These authorities are to be exercised during situations deemed a 'public emergency,' in the 'interest of public safety,' or in matters concerning 'national security' within the Union Territory. The directive empowers the LG to perform functions of the state government under Sub-Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, a provision specifically addressing public safety and national security scenarios.
The decision effectively centralizes emergency control over telecommunications with the LG's office. This authority is to be exercised under the purview of the President of India and remains in effect "until further orders." Officials indicate that such measures are intended to aid intelligence agencies and security forces, particularly in counterinsurgency operations where the suspension of telecom services has been a recurring tactic to disrupt communication and track individuals.
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Broader Powers and Previous Practices
The newly vested powers encompass a wide range of actions that can be taken against telecommunication networks and services. These include the ability to order interception of signals, allow decryption of messages, and suspend services altogether. Such actions have been observed previously in the region, particularly during counterinsurgency operations. The formalization of these powers under the LG suggests a consolidation of administrative control over communication infrastructure during critical periods.
Political Dissent Emerges
The extension of these broad powers to the Lieutenant Governor has drawn immediate criticism from some political factions. Tariq Hameed Karra, the Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief, characterized the move as "another dent on the democratic governance mechanism of the elected government in J&K." He argued that granting such sweeping authority, including internet shutdowns and communication interception, to an "unelected power corridor" undermines democratic principles. Similarly, Surinder Choudhary, the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, voiced reservations, implying that past experiences with similar centralized control measures have been met with public skepticism.
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Background
The Telecommunications Act of 2023, under which these powers are being delegated, provides the legal framework for the government to regulate and control telecommunication services under specific circumstances. Article 239(1) of the Constitution, governing Union Territories, has been cited as the basis for empowering the Lieutenant Governor to discharge these state government functions. The administration's stated rationale centers on enhancing security and public order management, particularly in a region that has historically faced security challenges. This development marks a significant shift in how emergency communication protocols are managed in Jammu and Kashmir.
