The order had raised hopes that Internet services — blocked since August 4 evening, a day before Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked — would finally be restored after five-and-a-half months. Besides, the government had already announced the restoration of Internet facilities at hospitals from January 1 — although many hospitals had complained they had been unable to access the service. Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal, one of the petitioners behind Friday’s apex court order, wondered whether the government announcement was just an eyewash and whether it violated the spirit of the court order. “They have still two days to implement (the court order) but what they have given — although they have given practically nothing — seems to be some sort of charity,” she told The Telegraph. “It is absolutely necessary to do so (restrict Internet access) in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state and for maintaining public order,” he added.

Source: The Telegraph January 15, 2020 21:33 UTC