Srinagar: The government on Saturday announced to ease the communications ban by restoring post-paid mobile services from Monday noon.
The announcement follows more than two months after the government blocked mobile telephony in Kashmir.
The government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said that 40 lakh post-paid mobile phones will be activated from October 14.
However, mobile phones of prepaid subscribers will not be activated for now.
“Having reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a decision has been taken to restore mobile phone facilities in all the remaining areas of Jammu and Kashmir,” Kansal told reporters at a presser held in media facilitation centre. He was flanked by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan, Inspector General of Police Kashmir SP Pani and Director Information and Public Relations Syed Sehrish Asgar.
“More specifically, all post-paid mobile phones, irrespective of the telecom service provider, will stand restored and be functional from 12 noon on Monday, 14 October, 2019,” he added.
According to Kansal, the post-paid services of all telecom operators including BSNL, Airtel, Jio etc will be restored across the Valley.
The resumption of mobile services in will be a major respite to 8 million people in Kashmir. But internet will continue to be blocked.
“Students would be able to stay in touch with parents while attending schools, businessmen can be in touch with customers, transporters with clients and contactors with the staff,” he said.
Asked about internet services, he said the facility is being restored in tourist places.
“With this step, tourists will be able to visit the state without being handicapped by the lack of phone connectivity, students can be in touch with parents while attending school, businessmen can be in touch with customers, transporters can contact clients and contractors can be in touch with staff,” Kansal said.
“Tourists are welcome to visit the state and they will be facilitated for their visit. Internet facilities are being opened at tourist places to assist tourists,” he said.
Replying to a question about release of political leaders including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, he said, “I have been emphasising, reiterating and sharing that the developments post August 5 and the security assessment that was made required a certain kind of action which included detaining the leaders,” he said.
“These decisions were taken at the local level by law enforcing authorities after taking all factors into consideration. Detentions are being continuously reviewed and if there are persons who have been detained, there have been people who were released.
“This is a dynamic process. Security situation will continue to be assessed in a dynamic manner, people will continue to be released. This process will go on,” he said.
Partial BSNL landline telephone services was resumed in the Valley on August 17 and by September 4, nearly 50,000 landlines were declared operational.
Kansal appealed to industrialists, traders, transporters, shopkeepers, hoteliers and contractors not to be frightened by threats of militants and separatists, and go about their normal activities.
“The government is firm in its resolve that the attempts of these disruptive elements will be foiled. The government thanks the people of state for being cooperative and helping in maintaining peace and public order,” he said.
Since August 16, there was a gradual removal of restrictions that were imposed and by September first week, most curbs were removed, Kansal said.
“Barring 8 to 10 police stations, movement restrictions have been completely removed. Over 99 per cent of the area of the state has no restrictions on movement,” he said.
Kansal said mobile communication were shutdown in order to prevent externally aided militants from disturbing peace and inflicting casualties.
There were “sustained attempts from across the border, both in the past and more so in the last two months, to promote militancy in the state in order to create a sense of fear and terror among the people and keep the place in a disturbed condition,” he said.
There were credible inputs about likely large scale militant attacks sponsored by forces inimical to India and from outside its borders, Kansal said.
“These terrorist attacks are meant not only to cause large scale damage to life and property but also create an atmosphere of fear and terror among the people of the state, the vast majority of whom are peace loving,” he said.
It was in anticipation of this, restrictions were imposed so that externally aided terrorism doesn’t lead to loss of lives. It’s a tribute, both to the people and to government forces. These measures ensured there is no unnecessary loss of life, Kansal said
He said that 25 internet kiosks are operating in each district in the deputy commissioners’ office to help students, contractors, and government departments to carry out their work.
“Students have been using this facility to apply for exams, download admission cards etc,” he said.
According to Kansal, restrictions on movement of people have been lifted in “over 99 per cent” areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Barring eight to ten police stations, movement restrictions have now been completely removed. Over 99 per cent of the areas of Jammu and Kashmir have absolutely no movement restrictions,” he said.

Reader correspondent