Internet, Phone Services Partially Restored In J&K

After five days of security lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, phone services and internet were partly restored on Friday morning and restrictions in movement were eased to facilitate Friday prayers.

The development came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on decisions on Kashmir, saying the government would ensure that the people didn’t face any difficulties during Eid-ul-Adha celebrations on Monday.

On Friday, the gates of the Jama Masjid in Srinagar were shut, indicating that prayers were unlikely in the city’s main mosque. However, prayers were allowed in smaller mosques in the interiors, said officials, and enough personnel had been posted to ensure order, news agency PTI reported.

Restrictions may be reduced further if the prayers take place without any trouble, officials said.

“People are allowed to pray within their neighbourhood, there is no restriction on that,” state police chief Dilbag Singh said. “But they should not venture out of their local area,” he added.

The decision to ease restrictions was taken after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who visited Srinagar on Friday, directed authorities to ensure that no Kashmiris were harassed.