Jammu and Kashmir: 100% landline exchanges to be operationalised tonight, mobile phones to be restored gradually

As the Jammu and Kashmir gradually moves back to normalcy after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, the government has decided to withdraw the restrictions on communications in the state. Today the government of Jammu and Kashmir informed that all landline exchanges will be made operationalised. Landline exchanges in several areas in the state were reopened recently, and the remaining 19 exchanges will be opened tonight.

#Kashmir #JammuAndKashmir
Restoration of Communication in Valley-
100% of landline exchanges to be operationalized; Remaining 19 exchanges being opened tonight.@dwivedimk_ias @kansalrohit69 @JmuKmrPolice @KVijayKumarIPS@srinagaradmin @listenshahid

— DIPR-J&K (@diprjk) September 4, 2019

This means all the landline phones will be restored in the state exactly one month after they were suspended on the midnight of 4th August, ahead of the historic decisions on Jammu and Kashmir.

Apart from this, Shahid Choudhary, District Magistrate of Srinagar, said that Mobile telephone services in the state are also been made operational gradually. He informed that mobile networks are also being restored in the state, and mobile phones are already working in Kupwara.

Most telephone exchanges to be functional tonight across Valley. Mobiles being restored gradually, already buzzing in Kupwara. Thanks for patience and regrets for inconvenience. https://t.co/x2BETGHEa0

— Shahid Choudhary (@listenshahid) September 4, 2019

The communications blockade remains in Kashmir valley only, as the landline and mobile networks have been restored in Jammu and Ladakh region earlier. On 2^nd September the government had announced that landline and mobile phones were fully functional in Jammu and Ladakh, and 26,000 landlines were operating in the valley. Day time restrictions also have been lifted from 90% of the valley.

Telephone and Internet connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir were suspended on the midnight of 4^th August, just before the decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A, and to split the state into two Union Territories were announced by the union government. Restrictions under section 144 have been imposed in the state since then, and several political leaders of the state have been put under preventive detention.