NEW DELHI: Several Kashmiris outside the newly designated union territory vented their anxiety at being unable reach their families on Twitter even as the administration said that phone and internet services have been partially restored in the Valley after four days of blackout.
“I have not been able to make any contact since Sunday. They have given 2 phone numbers to 6 million people It always comes buys. Although govt has provided satellite numbers they either don't work or we don't know how we are supposed to call them. All we know is what news channels are saying,” said a 30-year-old professional who did not want to be named. He is settled in Europe and said his family lives in central Kashmir.
“All the Kashmiris outside are restless because we don’t know what’s happening there. In 2016 we had siege for over 100 days but at least the communication lines were working. We were updated about our families but this time it's like they're in a void no one can reach. And with each rumour our anxiety grows,” he told TOI on condition of anonymity.
Srinagar district magistrate had announced on August 8 that the administration has set up two helplines for people outside the state to connect with their families. "DC Office #Srinagar has established 2 helplines 9419028242, 9419028251. Residents/Students outside state can contact. Families back home are also using these lines to reach out," he had tweeted from his official handle @listenshahid around 1 pm. A few hours later, he also announced that the administration will set up 350 such helplines across Jammu and Kashmir to reach out to other Kashmiris outside the state/union territory.
TOI tried reaching the helpline numbers several times between 4pm and 8pm and they remained busy. Other Twitter users, too, narrated similar experiences. Mahrukh Inayet, who goes by the handle @mahrukhinayat, has been writing a daily update on Twitter since the day Artcile 370 was hollowed out. Her first tweet was, "How will Dogras & Kashmiris know it's a great day for them if their phones are not working? And how are we going to know that they are ok? Can I pls talk to my mother? #Kashmir."
She has since then tweeted four other times, with her last tweet on Friday stating that she has been unable to get in touch with her mother. "Day 5: No news from my mother. I pray she is fine but can I pls know that she is. How is this even being allowed? #Kashmir #OpenPhoneLines," she wrote.
Most of these handles have updated their profile pictures with the colour red, representing the Kashmiri voice, which they say has remained suppressed for the past few days.
“I have not been able to make any contact since Sunday. They have given 2 phone numbers to 6 million people It always comes buys. Although govt has provided satellite numbers they either don't work or we don't know how we are supposed to call them. All we know is what news channels are saying,” said a 30-year-old professional who did not want to be named. He is settled in Europe and said his family lives in central Kashmir.
“All the Kashmiris outside are restless because we don’t know what’s happening there. In 2016 we had siege for over 100 days but at least the communication lines were working. We were updated about our families but this time it's like they're in a void no one can reach. And with each rumour our anxiety grows,” he told TOI on condition of anonymity.
Srinagar district magistrate had announced on August 8 that the administration has set up two helplines for people outside the state to connect with their families. "DC Office #Srinagar has established 2 helplines 9419028242, 9419028251. Residents/Students outside state can contact. Families back home are also using these lines to reach out," he had tweeted from his official handle @listenshahid around 1 pm. A few hours later, he also announced that the administration will set up 350 such helplines across Jammu and Kashmir to reach out to other Kashmiris outside the state/union territory.
TOI tried reaching the helpline numbers several times between 4pm and 8pm and they remained busy. Other Twitter users, too, narrated similar experiences. Mahrukh Inayet, who goes by the handle @mahrukhinayat, has been writing a daily update on Twitter since the day Artcile 370 was hollowed out. Her first tweet was, "How will Dogras & Kashmiris know it's a great day for them if their phones are not working? And how are we going to know that they are ok? Can I pls talk to my mother? #Kashmir."
She has since then tweeted four other times, with her last tweet on Friday stating that she has been unable to get in touch with her mother. "Day 5: No news from my mother. I pray she is fine but can I pls know that she is. How is this even being allowed? #Kashmir #OpenPhoneLines," she wrote.
Most of these handles have updated their profile pictures with the colour red, representing the Kashmiri voice, which they say has remained suppressed for the past few days.
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