Omar 'surprised' over ban on SMS for post-paid mobile users

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today expressed surprise over the Centre's decision to ban short message service (SMS) for post-paid subscribers in the state saying "unnecessary harassment" over the issue should be stopped.

"We asked for banning of the bulk SMS facility which we believe is being used to spread rumours and gossip in the name of news and also being used to cheat subscribers and such organisations are mushrooming.

This request has not been understood properly (by the Centre)," Omar told PTI in Jammu.

He said that while dealing with the state, the Centre should show more seriousness and understanding. "An officer sitting in department of telecommunication or home ministry cannot decide what is right or what is wrong for the people of my state," he said.

While the state government was making an all out attempt to bridge the gap between the state and the Centre, such acts only acted as "dampeners" to the efforts that were being undertaken.

"This harassment needs to be put to an end once and for all and the bureaucrats need to learn their lessons while dealing with sensitive border states especially Jammu and Kashmir," a visibly angry Omar said.