Broadband Internet Partially Restored In J&K, Ban On Social Media Remains

After the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, internet had been completely banned in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The state administration has now granted permission for partial restoration of mobile and broadband internet services in five districts of Jammu for seven days starting Tuesday night.

In a three-page order, J&K’s Home Department said that broadband facility will be restored in all organisations providing essential services, such as hospitals, banks and government offices. Apart from this, broadband internet will be provided to hotels and tourist establishments for the convenience of tourists.

The order also states that permission will be granted for 2G mobile connectivity on post-paid mobiles for browsing safe websites for e-banking and other services, in Jammu’s Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi.

Also, an additional 400 internet kiosks will be set up in Kashmir division.

Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu said that the situation in the Valley is improving quickly. The restoration of mobile internet services is being reviewed and soon, they will be completely reinstated, he added.

#JammuandKashmir LG GC Murmu on restoration of broadband #internet says we are reviewing the step-wise process to remove the #communicationblockade in the valley #communicationblackout

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Internet had been restricted in J&K since August 5 and several petitions had been filed in the Supreme Court against this restriction. Last week, the Supreme Court had ordered that directives restricting the internet in J&K should be reviewed within a week, after which the J&K administration has partially restored internet services in the state.

However, the complete ban on social media will continue for the time being.

Meanwhile, due to the internet clampdown in the Valley in the past five months, tourism, business, health and educational services have been worst-affected. Also, the state has suffered a loss of around Rs 18,000 crore due to the internet shutdown.