India: SMS services to be restored in Kashmir Valley December 31 /update 2

Event

The Indian government has announced that Internet services in all government-run hospitals and SMS service to all mobile phone will be restored in the Kashmir Valley (Jammu and Kashmir) at midnight (local time) on Tuesday, December 31. Local officials did not say when internet services would fully resume.

Context

Following a cabinet meeting on August 5, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah proposed to parliament that Article 370 in the Constitution, which accords Jammu and Kashmir state a special autonomous status, be revoked. He also proposed that Jammu and Kashmir be reorganized as a Union Territory with an assembly, and Ladakh be a separate Union Territory with no legislature. After New Delhi rescinded the state's effective constitutional autonomy, a curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir state on August 5, along with a blockage of landline and internet services in many areas. Some cellular communications have been restored in October 14 and December 10. 

Advice

Individuals in Jammu and Kashmir state are advised to monitor developments to the situation, prepare for lingering disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

Some foreign embassies maintain travel advisory for the disputed region, and advise against all but essential travel, notably in areas along the Line of Control (LoC), due to the significant risk of violence.