Srinagar, March 31 -- INTERNETban was imposed on August 5 last year and eight months on there is no indication that the government is anywhere close to restoring the service fully in Kashmir, even after Coronavirus pandemic.

Government's defence, order after order of continuing the 4G ban, is that it is necessary to ensure peace in the region. In an earlier order, the government said that doing so was absolutely necessary "in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state and for maintaining public order".

But the truth is Kashmir has been peaceful for the past seven months. And there is not even a distant sign that the Valley faces any immediate security challenge. Apart from small protests in the fir...