All post-paid mobile connections in Kashmir are to be restored from Monday, Jammu and Kashmir’s principal secretary of Planning Commission, Rohit Kansal said at a press conference on Saturday. The restriction on communications and other areas entered the 69th day following the abrogation of the special status on Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the internet connectivity will remain suspended for now, it was said. The mobile connectivity will be back in noon in all the 10 districts of Kashmir. Kansal said that the communications blackout was carried out to thwart any chances of externally aided terrorism in the valley.
The Centre had taken several stringent measures after lifting Kashmir’s special status granted by Article 370. Massive troops were deployed in the region, local politicians were kept under house arrest or imprisoned, tourists were asked to leave the area and there was a communications blackout that included telephone and internet.
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Landline connectivity was restored last month although that didn’t come to much use as the state-run BSNL connections are not very common there. The communication blackout left businesses and essential services affected in Kashmir and led to resentment among residents.
Answering a question, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar had said last month that the state knew of no other way than this to remove chances of externally aided terrorism in the valley.
[Image representational]
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