Cell Service Returns to Kashmir, Allowing First Calls in Months [telecom]

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After imposing a complete communications blackout two months ago, the Indian government on Monday partially restored cellphone service in the Kashmir Valley.

By Samee Yasir

SRINAGAR, Kashmir When the cellphone started to ring, after 71 days of silence, the crowd erupted into a loud cheer.

The region's cell service had been shut off in the hours before the Hindu nationalist government of India's prime minister, Narendra Modi announced on Aug. 5 the revocation of a constitutional provision that gave partial autonomy to Kashmir.