Days after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, officials said on Sunday that phone services have been restored. The communication curbs in Kashmir have been eased to some extent and landline telephone services restored in most places across the Valley in view of the improving situation. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the Valley on Saturday, the officials informed, adding the restrictions on communication were eased in view of the improving situation. 

Landline telephone services have been restored in most areas across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said. They said a few more telephone exchanges providing fixed-line phone services, including in Srinagar, were restored on Saturday evening. The process of fully restoring the landline connectivity, baring in a few pockets, is underway and more telephone lines would be restored soon, they added. However, the services continued to remain snapped in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk and Press Enclave.

On Saturday, principal secretary and government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said eight more exchanges having 5,300 landlines -- would be restored over the weekend. However, mobile telephone services and the internet, including BSNL's Broadband and private leased-line internet, remain unavailable. They were snapped on August 5 when the Centre abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution and reorganized the state into two Union territories  Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Restrictions have been lifted from most areas of the Kashmir valley, but the deployment of security forces continued on the ground to maintain law and order. However, Markets across Kashmir continued to remain shut for the 21st consecutive day as shops and other business establishments were closed, while the public transport also was off the roads, the officials said. The weekly flea market also did not open. However, some vendors put up stalls in a few areas of the city, they said.

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HOME MINISTRY UPDATES ON MEDICINE SUPPLIES

The Home Ministry on Sunday put out a list of services related to medicine after news reports about the shortage of medicine supplies surfaced. After the abrogation of Article 370, many from the Opposition has been alleging that the curbs in Jammu and Kashmir are resulting to increase in woes of common people. Refuting the claims, however, the Centre has been continuously putting forward its review of the situation in the valley. The Home Ministry said that not only 65% of the retail chemist shops were open but also medicines worth Rs 23.81Cr reached end-user retail shops in the last 20 days - slightly higher than the monthly average. It also added that all 376 notified drugs are available at Govt shops & private retailers, as well as 62 essential/life-saving drugs are available for 15-20 days stock. Detailing further the ministry put out the following tweets: 

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