The government is planning on restoring high-speed 4G internet services on a trial basis in some select areas of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), it informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday (11 August).

According to a report by Hindustan Times, Attorney General K K Venugopal, representing the central government, said ban on 4G internet connectivity will be lifted in two districts of the union territory, one each from Jammu and Kashmir division, after 15 August.

The 4G internet services have been suspended in the region for over a year now since the central government decided to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, on 5 August 2019, that provided special status to the erstwhile state of J&K.

The SC was hearing a plea filed in June this year by Foundation for Media Professionals, a non-government organisation which sought contempt proceedings against the centre and J&K administration.

The plea claimed that both the administrations had failed to comply with the SC's 11 May directions to review the long-going restrictions in the UT.

During the last hearing of the plea, the apex court also took into consideration the statements of former J&K lieutenant governor (LG) G C Murmu who had recently said restoring high-speed internet in the valley was not difficult.

"LG Murmu has said that there is no difficulty in restoring 4G. You have to give an explanation to that," justice R Subhash Reddy said, while adding that the Centre should explore the possibilities.