Mobile internet is still suspended, and a decision on its restoration will be made soon.
NEW DELHI — Broadband internet and mobile phone calling services were restored in Kashmir Valley on late Friday evening. However, the mobile internet has been shut down.
Official sources said that Jio and other telecom companies resumed broadband internet services late on Friday evening while mobile phone calling services of all telecom companies were also being restored.
Mobile internet in Valley to remain suspended?
The statement said that mobile internet is still suspended and a decision on its restoration will be taken on Sunday.
As a consequence, mobile data services will remain suspended until Sunday afternoon.
However, sources said that the restoration of mobile internet was being looked into by the security agencies and it may be restored sooner in Kashmir parts, although in a phased manner.
J-K Police orders restoration of voice-calling, broadband internet
Earlier, Inspector General of Kashmir Zone Police Vijay Kumar in a statement said that in view of law-and-order situation, mobile networks (voice calling) and broadband internet services provided by all internet service providers (ISPs) was ordered to be restored at 10 PM on Friday.
However, the government-run BSNL company’s voice calling and broadband internet services were exempted from the ban.
Syed Ali Geelani’s death triggers communication blackout
It is pertinent to mention here that the communication services were suspended late on the night of September 1 following the death of former Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
On Friday, Kashmir remained under severe curfew for the second day in a row, with massive forces deployed on all major routes and highways to avoid any ‘untoward’ occurrence.
Strict restrictions in place in Valley
Shops and business businesses across Kashmir, including the summer capital Srinagar, remained closed for the second day in a row.
Due to the tight restrictions in place, public transportation was unavailable. Banks were also closed, and residents complained of a lack of cash at most J&K ATMs in Srinagar and the city’s outskirts, causing significant difficulty to those in need of cash.
The authorities also restricted congregational Friday prayers at most mosques and shrines across Kashmir.
Congregational prayer was not permitted at key mosques in Srinagar, including Hazratbal and other significant shrines.
Situation peaceful, says J-K Police
However, J-K Police claimed that the day went off without a hitch and that no untoward incidents occurred anywhere in Kashmir.
It added that there was no law-and-order issue everywhere since people cooperated with the police and CRPF men deployed on the ground.