Kashmir authorities will restore the regional SMS services on Wednesday, nearly 5 months after the Government of India has eroded its semi autonomy and placed a strict security lockdown, an official said Tuesday.
Rohit Kansal, Local Government Speaker said the decision was taken following a review.
He said that broadband internet access will also be restored in government hospitals. The restrictions on mobile Internet and broadband services will remain for other users.
Authorities fear the use of the Internet to provoke protests in the region that could transform into mass street demonstrations by insurgents and separatists demanding independence of Indian rule.
After New Delhi’s surprising decision to decrease semi-autonomy in early August, tensions in kashmire have risen. In India, hundreds of thousands of additional troops were sent and tens of thousands were arrested. Cell phones and Internet services were blocked.
Some communications services, like post-paid and landline phones, were restored in October in a phased manner.
