Sign in

After 144 days, mobile net restored in Kargil

Government officials said the mobile internet was restored in the morning on Friday.

Published on: Dec 28, 2019, 01:16:50 IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

On Friday, 144 days after mobile internet services were suspended across Jammu & Kashmir, and days after 72 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were withdrawn from the region, mobile internet was restored in the Kargil district of the new Union territory of Ladakh.

In this Sept. 9, 2019, photo, security forces stand guard in Kargil. Mobile servioces have been restored in the district. (AP)
In this Sept. 9, 2019, photo, security forces stand guard in Kargil. Mobile servioces have been restored in the district. (AP)

Government officials said the mobile internet was restored in the morning on Friday. “Broadband was already working here. Mobile internet services were also restored in the morning in Kargil and Drass,”one of them added on condition of anonymity.

On August 5, after Parliament passed laws and resolutions to split Jammu & Kashmir into two Union territories, and scrapped constitutional provisions that gave the region special status and its residents special privileges, internet access in the erstwhile state was cut, amidst other restrictions. Extra security forces were deployed and a security blanket shrouded the region.

Since then, many of the restrictions have been eased although local leaders including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti remain in detention.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) withdrew 72 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from J&K. “The ministry has decided to withdraw 72 companies of CAPFs (Central Reserve Police Force-24, Boder Security Force-12, Indo-Tibetan Border Police-12, Central Industrial Security Froce-12 and Sashastra Seema Bal-12) with immediate effect from Jammu and Kashmir,” the ministry said.

Musa Khan, a retired government official, welcomed the decision. “Kargil largely remained peaceful, and due to this blockade our young generation was most affected due to this,” he said.

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.