New Delhi: Three months since the Kashmir clampdown, the ruling government is considering to restart SMS services in the valley along with restoring selective broadband connections particularly in government offices, educational institutions and some hotels including private ones but mobile internet will still remain suspended.
The connection to broad bands too will be undertaken only on a case-to-case basis and essentially aimed at facilitating the state administration, tourists and visitors as well as students, TOI reports.
However, there is still no clarity on which broadband connections will be restored.
“SMS services will be the first indicator of (opening of) internet,” said a senior officer in J&K administration.
Mobile, land-line, broadband and mobile internet services have been suspended in J&K as part of communication clampdown ever since Auguts 5 when the government suddenly declared to abrogate Article 370 in the Jammu and Kashmir.
Land-line services were restored in Kashmir in early September, mobiles started ringing there only on October 14, almost 70 days after the lockdown started.
Broadband connections are 100% open in Jammu region, as are SMS services.
According to sources release of political leaders detained in Kashmir including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti remains a question with the government having no plans to release them any sooner.