Restrictions eased in Jammu and Kashmir after a heavy lockdown

Srinagar | After 2 weeks of the complete clampdown, the landline services have finally been restored in 17 telephone exchanges in Kashmir valley.

Restrictions have been eased and over 50,000 landline phone connections have been restored in parts of the Kashmir Valley. Heavy security, however, continues to be in place.

In Jammu region, mobile internet connections were restored in five districts.

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Jammu and Kashmir have been under an unprecedented security cover and prohibitory orders banning large gatherings since August 4 – a day before the government announced the abrogation of Article 370.

Around 17 out of 100 telephone exchanges been made operational so far. Landline services are also restored in certain areas of the central Kashmir.

Officials say that around 20 more phone exchanges will be operationalised soon.

They have also briefed about the Security Forces which continued to remain deployed, while barricades remained on the roads, but people were allowed to move.

Public transport have started and there are reports of normal movement from a lot of rural areas too. The officials have also added that there has been no untoward incident reported so far.

Mobile network and internet connections that were restricted since the announcement, have been restored in 5 districts. And 2G mobile internet services are back in the valley. High-speed (3G and 4G) mobile internet services will also be restored after a fresh assessment of the situation.

Shops in areas of Srinagar were operational from today. However, most of the business establishments, including fuel stations, remained shut.

The officials have also added that the government offices have become fully functional, listing measures taken by the administration to ease the restrictions now. Schools will reopen from next week “area wise”.