Mobile phone services snapped in Kashmir on R-Day, restored

Mobile phone services and 2G Internet services were restored in Kashmir on Sunday hours after being suspended as a precautionary measure for ensuring an incident-free Republic Day celebration in the Valley, officials said.

"Mobile telephone services were restored at 4.00 pm across Kashmir," one of the officials said.

2G mobile Internet services was restored around 9 pm, officials said.

Suspension of mobile phone and internet services on Republic Day and Independence Day have been part of the security drill in the Valley since 2005 when militants used a mobile phone to trigger an improvised explosive device blast near the venue of Independence day celebrations.

On Saturday, hours after low-speed mobile internet was restored in Kashmir, authorities again snapped services, citing security reasons in view of Republic Day.

Mobile Internet was restored after being suspended nearly six months ago in the wake of the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370, but the service could only be used to access 301 websites approved by the administration, the officials said.

Stringent security arrangements were in place for ensuring that Republic Day celebrations pass off peacefully.

Security forces were deployed along all the roads leading to the venue of the main official function in the valley to ensure that these disruptive elements do not succeed in carrying out their nefarious designs, the officials said.

Security forces were also deployed on highrise buildings to keep a vigil on the movement of people.

However, the roads of the city and elsewhere in the valley wore a deserted look as people preferred to stay indoors.

Separatist groups like Hurriyat Conference used to call for a shutdown on January 26 and August 15 but no such call was issued this year as most of the separatist leaders were under detention since August 5 following the abrogation of provisions of Article 370.