ISLAMABAD – Mobile phone networks were restored in Indian Kashmir on Mondayafter a 72-day blackout, authorities said, but the internet remainsoff-limits to the region’s seven million-plus people.
India cut access to mobile networks in the restive Kashmir Valley in earlyAugust citing security concerns as it scrapped the region’s semi-autonomousstatus and imposed a lockdown.
The easing on Monday covers around four million post-paid mobile phonecontracts, but only for calls and text messages. The internet is stillunavailable both on cellphone and fixed line networks.
Landlines were restored previously, although residents say connections areerratic.
The stripping of Kashmir’s special status on August 5 also saw New Delhisend in tens of thousands of extra troops to what even before was one ofthe world’s most heavily militarised zones.
Several hundred Kashmiri politicians, activists, lawyers and others remainin custody, mostly without charge.
Several thousand ordinary Kashmiris were also detained, including childrenas young as nine, with protesters and security forces clashing at regularrallies. Most have since been released.
– Harsh words for Modi –
UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said last month she was “deeplyconcerned” while Washington called for the “rapid” lifting of restrictions.
Read Top Stories
Mohammad Akbar, a businessman, told AFP in the main city Srinagar that hewas pleased that mobile phones were working again, but had harsh words forthe government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Mobile phones are a commercial service that we pay for, not a favour,” hesaid. “They slash our basic rights and then ease things as favours and callit normalcy.”
Having mobile phones “is something completely normal in most countries. Buthere in Kashmir it is a big deal”, said law student Mashouq.
“And it can be taken away at any time.”
Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since 1947 and has beenthe spark of two wars and numerous skirmishes — most recently in Februarywhen they conducted tit-for-tat air strikes.
Tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, have died since 1989in an uprising against Indian rule that New Delhi blames on Islamabad.-APP/AFP