Internet service resumes after 3-day gag in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Authorities Monday restored internet services in restive Indian- controlled Kashmir after three days of complete ban, officials said.

The services on mobile phones and landlines in the region were terminated on Friday after local government directed state-owned and private companies fearing trouble during Eid-ul-Adha (Muslim festival).

"Broadband and mobile phone-based internet services have been completely restored in the region," a senior police officer Javed Mujtaba Gillani told media.

According to officials, the internet services remained suspended for 77 hours.

The stringent measures to block internet access was taken to stop alleged "misuse of communication facility" by uploading pictures and videos related to sacrificial animals on social networking sites in wake of region's High Court order asking authorities to enforce ban on sale and possession of beef.

Eid-ul Adha, also known as festival of sacrifice, is celebrated world over on the tenth day of Duhl Hijja, last month of Islamic year.

Muslims across the globe celebrate this festival with lot of enthusiasm and offer sacrifice of animals.

Locals view the court order as interference in their religion and implementation of Hinduvta ideology. Residents at several places took to streets in defiance of the order.

Ban on cow slaughter and sale of beef is a law of 1930's imposed by the then autocratic ruler of the region.

As per the law slaughter of cow is punishable with up to 10 years of imprisonment and fine.

The law however was never enforced strictly in the region owing to majority of Muslims, where beef is being consumed by a vast population.

Landline broadband services were resumed on Sunday night, while as mobile data services were restored on Monday at 10:00 a.m. ( local time).

The ban affected students, business community and news reporting from the region. Meanwhile the internet ban has evoked sharp condemnation from people, opposition parties and separatists.

"The irony of listening to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) talking about digital India while we in Jammu and Kashmir spent three days totally disconnected due to his party and allies," region's former chief minister Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter soon after the ban was lifted.

The ban was also mocked by hundreds of Kashmiri netizens by posting messages on their facebook accounts.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep into the psyche of majorities of Kashmiris. A local newsgathering agency said police has warned people of action for misusing social network.

"Misuse of mobile phone SMS and internet messaging service to spread malicious rumors with an intention to stoke communal tension and violent activity constitutes commission of offences under the various provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Information Technology Act and Ranbir Penal Code" the agency quotes a police spokesman as having said.

A guerrilla war aimed at ending New Delhi's rule over the region is going on between militants and Indian troops since 1989. Endi