Private postpaid mobile service was restored in Kashmir on Tuesday night after 17 days of communication blackout amid protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
The move comes after curfew was lifted in most parts of the Valley, with the exception of the sensitive areas in South Kashmir.
Earlier only state-owned BSNL’s postpaid and landline services were available to residents. Prepaid users will likely have to wait a while longer to be able to use their mobile phones.
Mobile and internet services were shut down after protests erupted on July 9, a day after Wani was killed in an encounter in Anantnag district, as a “preventive measure to avoid any law and order problems and passing of rumours by miscreants/anti-national elements”, according to officials.
BSNL broadband services remained unaffected.
Amnesty International said the government clampdown on communication “undermined human rights” in the Valley.
“Blanket and indefinite suspensions of telecommunications services do not meet international human rights standards. These shutdowns affect the ability of phone and internet users in Kashmir to seek, receive, and impart information, which is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression,” the rights organisation said in a statement. “The restrictions on access to telephones, in particular, jeopardize a range of other human rights as well, including the right to life.”
Curfew was imposed in South Kashmir and Srinagar as protests turned violent, with mobs pelting stones on security forces, which retaliated with bullets and pellets. As many as 47 people were killed in the clashes, and thousands were injured.
{{/usCountry}}Curfew was imposed in South Kashmir and Srinagar as protests turned violent, with mobs pelting stones on security forces, which retaliated with bullets and pellets. As many as 47 people were killed in the clashes, and thousands were injured.
{{/usCountry}}