After over three weeks of severe restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370, mobile phone services were finally restored in five districts of Jammu on the night of August 28. The districts where mobile services have been restored include Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, and Poonch. Tight security arrangements have been in place in the state since the government announced its decision to end special status and split the state into two union territories. Officials announced that all the restrictions will be lifted in phases.

Read: Cool Your Rhetoric Imran, Kashmir India's Internal Issue: US Lawmaker

Phone lines to open in 5 more districts

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday announced that mobile phone lines will be reopened in all 10 districts of Jammu (barring one location) and the entire revenue district of Kupwara and Handwara Police districts in the Kashmir Valley. The announcements also included the reopening of landline connections in the Kashmir Valley. Mobile services in the Valley were suspended as these facilities were used against the country and mostly exploited by terrorists and Pakistani forces, said the Governor.

Read: Jammu & Kashmir: SC Allows Sitaram Yerchury Visit, Says 'no Politics'

Governer Malik said, "Telephones and Internet connections are of very little use to us. They were being used more by Pakistani forces and terrorists, and that was why we put restrictions on them."

Read: Anti-Pakistan Protest By Gujjars Over Killing Of Two In South Kashmir

Security first

The J&K Governor added that the priority for the government was to make sure that there is no loss of life even if that meant snapping mobile services for 10 days.

"Our attitude is such that there should be no loss of human lives. If there's no telephone for 10 days, so be it. But we will roll back these measures very soon," he quoted on Monday.

50,000 vacancies across various government departments

Speaking about the upcoming developments for the Union Territories, the Government said that about 50,000 vacancies across various government departments will be filled on priority in the coming months. Assuring the people about sovereignty, the governor said that the decision will not hamper their culture but rather preserve it. This was the Governor's first press conference after the Centre announced its decision to abrogate Jammu and Kashmir's special status and divide the state into two union territories. 

Read: Satya Pal Malik: Let Omar, Mufti Be Jailed; They'll Tout During Polls

Read: Satya Pal Malik Snubs Pak Cricketer Javed Miandad's LoC Visit Claim

(with inputs from ANI)