• Tweeter

  • republish

For a month, the 7 million people living in Indian Kashmir could not even use their landline. The longest and most severe restrictions imposed by New Delhi in 30 years of insurgency. TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP

Residents of the Indian Kashmir region should soon be able to use their mobile phones again, at least to make calls. The central government cut all these communications last August.

With our correspondent in New Delhi, Sébastien Farcis

Since August 5, 2019, following the sudden announcement of the abrogation of the autonomy of Kashmir, the inhabitants of this separatist region live in the past: no more mobile phone, no more internet.

For a month, these 7 million people could not even use their landline. These are the longest and most severe restrictions imposed by New Delhi in 30 years of insurgency.

► See also: Kashmir still virtually cut off from the world

The restrictions paralyzed this population, but were decided in order to prevent an outbreak of violence. The majority of the inhabitants of this Muslim region are opposed to the repeal of autonomy announced two months ago.

Also, militant groups or terrorists could have taken advantage of this anger to launch major demonstrations, even deadly attacks. The cut of the communications prevented the violence.

► Also read: Dar Yasin, Indian photographer covering Kashmir

A victory for the government, which also had an impressive military deployment and movement restrictions. New Delhi believes that the shock effect is now over.

Mobile phones can be reinstated in Kashmir from Monday. But not yet internet. The government says it wants to avoid, among other things, the spread of rumors via WhatsApp messaging.