Internet was shut down in parts of Kashmir as a precautionary measure on October 18, according to a report by The NewsMinute. Aakash Hassan, a Kashmir-based independent journalist, confirmed to MediaNama that mobile internet services were restored on October 19 after being suspended in many areas of the valley. Jammu and Kashmir have seen one of the world's longest (552 days) internet shutdowns which led to pleas challenging the restrictions and the Supreme Court declaring that access to the internet is a fundamental right. The apex court had further asked magistrates signing off on internet shutdown orders to ‘apply their mind’ and 'follow the doctrine of proportionality'. Read MediaNama’s ground reports on the impact of internet shutdowns in Kashmir here and here. Where were internet services restricted? According to reports, internet access was restricted in - Srinagar district: Anchar, Eidgah, Qamarwari, Soura, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, and Bagyass Kulgam district: Wanpoh and Qaimoh Pulwama district: The town of Litter A recent spate of killings in the Union Territory has reportedly claimed the lives of nine civilians over the last 15 days. MediaNama has reached out to Vikas Kumar, Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Kashmir for more information on the matter and will update the story when he responds. However, in possible violation of the Anuradha Bhasin guidelines on internet shutdowns, an official order for the shutdown could not be found on the home department's and police department's websites. What does the law say about internet shutdowns? While the Supreme Court judgement in the Anuradha Bhasin…
