Landline services in Jammu and Kashmir being restored

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday said they have begun restoring landline services in Kashmir region and that 23,000 landlines would be made functional until Saturday evening.

“17 telephone exchanges out of 96 have already opened across Kashmir valley. Authorities are on duty to open remaining landlines by tomorrow evening,” Rohit Kansal, spokesman for the government in the region, said in a media briefing.

Kansal said restrictions were eased in 35 of more than 100 police stations across the Kashmir region on Saturday. “The situation remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported from the areas where relaxation was given,” he said.

In Jammu division, Kansal said landlines services are functioning normally, and mobile internet services have also been restored in five districts of the region.

Kansal noted that six or seven incidents of stone pelting were reported on Saturday in the areas where restrictions were not lifted. “We have reports that eight people have been injured,” he added.

Kashmir region is facing a complete communication blockade since Aug. 5, when India scrapped special status of Jammu and Kashmir. For the first time, landline services were also snapped across the region, thus making it impossible for people to communicate with the outside world.