After as many as 18 months (Yes, 18 months without proper/no internet. Imagine your life in that scenario before reading any further) since the abrogation of Article 370 in the valley, high-speed internet will finally be restored in Jammu and Kashmir, starting today.

“4G mobile internet services being restored in entire J&K,” tweeted Jammu and Kashmir administration spokesperson Rohit Kansal. The services are likely to resume from Friday midnight, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.

Internet services were snapped in Jammu and Kashmir before the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 5, 2019#JammuAndKashmir #4Ginkashmir
(@ashraf_wani, @ShujaUH)https://t.co/36eIBZ77AD

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) February 5, 2021

The internet ban in the valley, which is now the world’s longest-running internet ban in a democratic country, was snapped when the center divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two separate Union Territories. Over the months, the Centre has cited the chances of unrest in the valley as its justification for the ban.

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However, the move has faced constant criticism from across the world with many Human Rights Organizations and individuals accusing the BJP government of infringing an individual’s basic fundamental rights.

4G is restored. But the question is why such a long ban? Who advised the BJP govt? Or is it that govt does things whimsically & then retracts? Never seen govt as erratic as this! #4Ginkashmir

— Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) February 5, 2021

Also, sadly, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were barred from the luxury of high-speed internet throughout the lockdown period too. Only after the lockdown ended and the Supreme Court intervened, the centre decided to restore the internet in a phased manner starting with restoring broadband and 2G service in select districts first.

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The internet snapping in the state has affected businesses and the education of children in the region to a large extent.

Finally #4Ginkashmir
— Rais Shaikh (@rais_shk) February 5, 2021

As the news of the 4g internet restoration made headlines, the former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, welcomed the move and tweeted, “4G Mubarak! For the first time since Aug 2019 all of J&K will have 4G mobile data. Better late than never.”

Here’s how netizens reacted to the news:

https://twitter.com/faizan_ul_haq/status/1357701753274126340

Blocking everyone who are saying Mubarak for the 'right to flow of information.' #4Ginkashmir
— Quratulain Rehbar (@ainulrhbr) February 5, 2021

Hope it’s not misused to send stones now. #4Ginkashmir
— Ranvir Shorey (@RanvirShorey) February 5, 2021

Current internet speed on my phone.

Wanted to share before high speed internet is finally restored after 551 days.#4Ginkashmir pic.twitter.com/p1lI1tv380
— Azaan Javaid (@AzaanJavaid) February 5, 2021

Restoring 4G internet in Kashmir is NOT a favour to them. Period!#4Ginkashmir
— WARISHA SIRAJ (@WAR_ishaa) February 5, 2021

https://twitter.com/imMAK02/status/1357740047731093507

Indians opposing this government's injustices have been ignored/punished for years. A Western stars posts 1 tweet & within days, #4Ginkashmir is restored & the nails at Ghazipur are 'repositioned'. Our sarkar cares more for its image abroad than what Indians think.#FarmersProtest
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) February 5, 2021

#4Ginkashmir — that can't be the headline.

Headline is: 4G was denied without any valid ground, without any accountability of Govt, without any intervention from courts, even as a pandemic raged.
— Anando Bhakto (@anandobhakto) February 5, 2021

550 days of suffering and still J&K is suffering.

I welcome decision of 4G restoration but what about sufferings of JKians.#4Ginkashmir
— Mohd Shahnawaz Choudhary (@Shahnawaz_JK) February 5, 2021