Ban on pre-paid mobiles stays in Kashmir: Chidambaram

Jammu, Nov 4 : 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 Nov 1.