For the first time in seven months, people in Kashmir will be able to use WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media services without any fear. This is because the internet services have been restored in the valley.

Wired broadband internet services in Kashmir have been restored in full and access to social media websites have been permitted.

However, mobile internet services will continue to be restricted, with only low-speed 2G networks operational and high-speed 4G networks still blocked.

While the fixed line internet services by BSNL are yet to be operational, the access to the websites, including social media platforms, will be given till March 17, according to a notification of J&K Home Department.

Earlier, only access to white-listed sites was allowed as the service was restored for a week on January 25 and subsequently extended from time to time, after being snapped on August 5 last year when the Centre abrogated the special status to the erstwhile state and bifurcated it into two union territories.

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is one of three senior opposition leaders detained by the government since August, tweeted after the ban on social media websites was lifted, saying the J&K administration had “finally realised the futility of a ban”.

“Seems like J&K admin finally realised futility of ban on social media since Kashmiris circumvented it through VPNs (virtual private network). Simply became a cat & mouse chase where Kashmiris outwitted state apparatus i.e., Big Brother,”Mufti tweeted.

Meanwhile, after 29 cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in India, the Jammu and Kashmir has also been put on alert to deal with the fast spreading infection. The administration has announced various efforts to control the virus.