SRINAGAR – Narendra Modi’s government has finally restored internetservices to India Occupied Kashmir (IOK) this Saturday. This comes after afive and a half month long communication crackdown in the valley. Otherservices, such as mobile data have also been restored, but remains limitedto 2G speeds.
“Mobile data services and internet access through fixed line shall beallowed through the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with somerestrictions,” read a notification territory’s home department.
However, certain sites, like social media continue to be blocked. In fact,only 301 Indian government approved websites were made accessible. Theseinclude entertainment websites like Amazon and Netflix, as well asinternational news publications. Peer to peer communications and VirtualPrivate Networks (VPNs) also remain blocked.
Citizens of Kashmir aren’t pleased with the limited restoration, afteralmost 6 months of no internet at all. They believe they deserve more afterbeing deprived internet facilities after so long.
“I am so frustrated,” Zainab Shahid, a 29-year-old doctorate scholar, toldAl Jazeera. “What would a student do with 2G internet speed? Do you thinkit is any justice after six months?“
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As you may remember, Modi’s BJP party managed to remove Article 370 and 35Afrom the country’s constitution in the Indian legislature which strippedthe IOK’s status as a special state enjoying partial autonomy.
The Indian military subsequently moved thousands of troops into the areaand imposed a curfew on its seven million inhabitants. Reports of humanrights abuse also became a common occurrence. Because of this, life inKashmir hasn’t been easy, and these conditions have taken a heavy toll onthe economy of the valley.