Srinagar, January 14: Over five months after the abrogation of Article 370, internet services are likely to be restored in Jammu & Kashmir. The administration will begin the phase-wise restoration of broadband services in Kashmir Valley in the next 48 hours, reports said. In the Jammu region, 2G internet services on mobile phones are also expected to be resumed within a couple of days. Malaysian PM's Kashmir Remarks Hit Trade Ties, Indians Halt Palm Oil Imports on Modi Govt's Request.

The decision to restore broadband services in the Valley comes in the backdrop of a Supreme Court verdict on a clutch of pleas challenging the restrictions imposed in J&K. The three-judge bench had ruled that use of internet is part of the fundamental right under Article 19(1)(A) -- which grants the freedom of speech and expression.

Breaking: Broadband Internet to be Restored in Valley

The apex court had issued a week's period to the J&K administration to decide on the resumption of internet services. The bench, in its order, said the administration will have to review the current clampdown imposed on communication services.

Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu had, earlier this month, assured that the government is considering to restore internet services at the earliest. "Internet will be restored as soon as the conditions turn more normal. The modalities to restore the services are being considered," he had said.

Kashmir was put under a blanket communication lockdown on August 5, hours before the Centre issued an executive order to revoke the region's semi-autonomous status. All phone connections, including mobile and landline, were suspended and internet lines were cut off.

In the second week of September, the government resumed BSNL landline services across J&K. The post-paid mobile phone connections were resumed in October. SMS services on post-paid connections were allowed from January 1, whereas, pre-paid and internet services remained clamped down across the Valley.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2020 11:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).