JAMMU, INDIA: Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday evening ruled out lifting the ban on pre-paid mobile connections in Jammu and Kashmir in the near future.

Addressing a press conference in Jammu in the evening, the home minister said there were security concerns that guided the decision of his ministry.

The announcement has dealt a serious blow to the leadership of Kashmir that was hoping for an announcement reversing the ban.

The state has nearly four million pre-paid connections. The ban came into effect November 1.

Review Kashmir prepaid mobile ban: Farooq

Meanwhile, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah asked Chidambaram to reconsider the continuation of the ban on prepaid mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir when Chidambaram concluded his day-long visit to the state Wednesday night, officials said.

According to official sources, Farooq raised the issue during an informal chat with Chidambaram Wednesday evening.

Farooq said the ban on prepaid services had created anger all across the state.
©IANS