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A government circular issued on January 14 appeared to bring relief to Jammu and Kashmir, reeling from internet shutdowns for over five months. But on closer inspection, it only does the bare minimum ordered by the Supreme Court on January 10, after it heard a petition against the information blockade imposed on Jammu and Kashmir since August 5. It also makes scant progress from the government’s own measures over the past few months, allowing slivers of connectivity to a few institutions, businesses and individuals. For thousands of people living in Jammu and Kashmir, it makes little difference.

The government circular was issued in keeping with the court’s injunctions to publish all prohibitory orders and review them every week. It restores 2G networks to postpaid mobile numbers in five districts of Jammu’s 10 districts. While Jammu already has broadband internet, the order decrees that it be restored to all institutions providing essential services also in Kashmir, such as hospitals and banks, to government offices, and to hotels and other travel establishments.