Jammu & Kashmir: Broadband, 2G Internet Partially Restored; Social Media Remains Banned

In a three-page order, the home department said additional 400 internet kiosks will be established in Kashmir division.

Representational Picture (AFP)

New Delhi: Mobile internet services and broadband services have been partially restored in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, after the administration’s home department allowed so for white-listed websites and institutions dealing with essential services. This comes after a span of 164 days from the day Article 370 was abrogated. The government had issued prohibitory orders, including suspension of the internet in Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of the special rights to the erstwhile state. In a three-page order, the home department said additional 400 internet kiosks will be established in Kashmir division. The order comes days after the Supreme Court had made harsh observation on the JK administration for snapping Internet services, which the apex court said was a fundamental right of the people. Internet service providers will offer broadband facility (with Mac binding) to all institutions dealing with essential services, hospitals, banks as also government offices. Mac Binding means to enforce a client machine to work from a particular Internet Protocol address. In order to facilitate tourism, broadband internet would be provided to hotels and tour and travel establishments. The order also said that the 2G mobile connectivity on post-paid mobiles for accessing white-listed websites including e-banking will be allowed in districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi -- all in the Jammu region. "Prior to giving such facility, the ISPs shall install necessary firewalls and carry out white-listing of sites that would enable access to government websites and websites dealing with essential services including e-banking, excluding, however, all the social media sites," the order read.