Govt Plans To Relax Curbs, Restart Sms Services In Kashmir

Srinagar The government is considering restarting SMS services in Kashmir valley, apart from also looking at selective restoration of broadband connections in the region, particularly in government offices, educational institutions and some hotels including private ones, reported The Times Of India. According to reports, mobile internet, however, will remain suspended for now. The resumption of broadband connections in the Kashmir region too will be undertaken only on a case-to-case basis and essentially aimed at facilitating the state administration, tourists and visitors as well as students.

Sources told TOI that while SMS services, which were started along with the resumption of mobile services in Kashmir region last month but suspended within the next few hours itself, are likely to resume soon, there was still no clarity on the timing of the selective restoration of broadband connections. “SMS services will be the first indicator of (opening of) internet,” said a senior officer in J&K administration.