Pre-paid mobile services have been restored in Jammu and Kashmir. And 2G services will available in two districts.
Voice and SMS facilities have been restored for all local pre-paid phones across J&K, now a union territory. According to Rohit Kansal, the Principal Secretary, who made the statement, the services would be effective from Saturday.
The decision comes in the wake of the Supreme Court directive to the state on January 10 to review the blanket ban on the internet, The SC bench had stated the internet is the fundamental right of the citizens of India. The SC bench comprising Justice NV Ramana, Justice R Subhash Reddy, and Justice BR Gavai asked the government to review the ban in seven days.
The Internet has been blocked for over 150 days, the longest in the world, in the valley.
As for the Internet, service providers have asked to provide fixed-line internet connectivity in all ten districts of the Jammu region, and two districts, Kupwara and Bandipur of North Kashmir.
Rohit Kansal said the Internet was blocked due to security concerns in the wake centre’s decision to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir into union territories