Only incoming mobile calls may be allowed initially in Kashmir

NEW DELHI: A call on restoring mobile services in Kashmir region, particularly Srinagar that has been witnessing sporadic stone-pelting incidents by small groups, may be taken only later this week, after the local authorities have assessed the impact of opening up landlines.



Sources told TOI that only incoming facility may be allowed initially on mobiles, enabling residents to receive domestic calls from outside the state even as ISD (international calls) facility and mobile internet would remain barred for some more time.

While primary and middle schools in the Valley will reopen from Monday, a decision on resuming high schools, higher secondary schools and degree colleges would be taken in the next 2-3 days, according to sources.



With mobile internet services snapped again on Sunday in all districts of Jammu to control rumours, MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh told TOI that misleading forwards via WhatsApp — that people stand to lose land, business and jobs to outsiders in wake of nullification of Artice 370 and 35A — have emerged as the latest challenge. “The reality is that lakhs of government employees stand to benefit from facilities that will accrue to them after J&K becomes a Union territory. As for land rights, has all of Himachal been occupied by outsiders? No. J&K youth remain free to get jobs in other states. J&K businessmen too have to think of capacity building in the interest of future generations,” he stated.

TOI has learned that some government representatives are in touch with political leaders currently under detention to enlist their cooperation in maintaining law and order in the Valley after they are released. The effort , said a government functionary, is to ensure that there are no provocative appeals or statements from them post-release.

DGP Dilbag Singh told TOI on Sunday that the situation was peaceful in the Valley on Sunday barring a few “minor” stone-pelting incidents in Srinagar.

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