Kashmir hospitals to get back Internet

The government on Tuesday announced a New Year gift for hospitals in the Valley, restoring their broadband Internet connectivity after five months of information blockade believed to have led to a healthcare crisis.

Schools too will get their broadband connections back while postpaid mobile users can access SMS services again.

Government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said broadband connectivity to hospitals and schools and SMS services — to 40 lakh postpaid mobiles — were being restored from midnight.

The government also abolished toll taxes at Lakhanpur, the point of entry into Jammu and Kashmir, and “all other posts including posts at Railway Stations and Airports” with effect from midnight.