In a decision that has come as a rude shock to the Kashmir Valley’s residents, postpaid mobile users have been asked to clear their outstanding bills from 5 August, when Article 370 was abrogated, till 30 September, in order to use the services.

The Quint reached out to several Kashmiri residents, who said they felt it was “very unfair” to have to pay for a service they were denied by the government for more than 70 days.

Jammu and Kashmir Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal announced on Saturday, 12 October, that around 40 lakh postpaid mobile phones would be operational Monday noon onward. There are approximately 68 lakh mobile connections in the Valley.

While postpaid services have been restored, prepaid connections and Internet access remain blocked across the region.