FEELING CONNECTED AGAIN
AFTER 72 DAYS Ban on internet services continues
A Srinagar resident talking to his relative after the ban on postpaid mobile services in the Valley was lifted by the government on Monday. The ban on internet and prepaid mobile services will continue, say officials.
SRINAGAR: Mobile phone services were restored in Kashmir on Monday at noon, connecting nearly 4 million post-paid subscribers to their families and friends in the country, the Valley and their neighbourhoods after 72 days, however without any internet facilities.
The phones started ringing from noon as promised by the government on Saturday and people across the Valley quickly dialled out to speak to those they were unable to since August 5. The resumption of the service is only on post-paid connections and only for voice calls and SMS.
The ban on prepaid mobile connections and internet services will continue.
According to officials, there are around seven million mobile phone users, and nearly four million of them have post-paid connections. Over 2.5 million prepaid mobile phones and other internet services, including WhatsApp, will remain deactivated for now, news agency PTI quoted unnamed officials as saying.
Security forces said they are taking precautionary measures ahead of the restoration of the post-paid phone service.
News agency ANI quoted unnamed security sources as saying that they will strictly monitor hate mongers spreading rumours with the local police keeping an eye on fake news and messages.