Given security considerations in terror-struck Kashmir, the Centre may have been justified in imposing curbs after the abrogation of special status for Jammu & Kashmir. But four months on, extreme restrictions need to go. These are only creating hardships for locals and undermining the government’s pitch that Article 370 was nullified to usher in development. Nor is it wise to argue that restrictions will be fully lifted once the situation completely normalises. For, that could take even years. Continuing with restrictions on mobility and other freedoms in the meantime will only make people bitter. In that sense, the restrictions themselves come in the way of normalisation.

Besides, government has already achieved its objective in that the international community has largely accepted that nullifying Article 370 was India’s internal matter. The next step is to win the hearts and minds of the people of Kashmir and usher in real development. This isn’t possible if restrictions continue and political leadership remains in detention. Too much of a hard approach could be counterproductive and play into the hands of militants.

As a side benefit lifting of curbs would also make the task of Indian diplomacy easier, as it battles to counter Pakistani propaganda. European Union’s ambassador to India, Ugo Astuto, has added to growing international clamour for normalcy, saying New Delhi must take steps to restore rights and freedoms of the people. True, mobile phones in Kashmir buzzed back to life after a gap of 72 days on October 14. But it is only now that SMS-based one-time-password services have resumed for business transactions. Private SMSs are still down. So are prepaid mobile and internet services. It’s time to allow Kashmir to return to a freer path.