: In an announcement that indicates normalcy is fast returning to Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities on Friday said schools will reopen in the Kashmir Valley starting Monday. Further, government offices will also reopen in the Valley on Monday, as per the announcement made after Fridayprayers in Srinagar.

Times Now has learned that the government is set to restore landline phones in Kashmir in a phased manner. Post that, a call on restoring mobile and internet connections will be taken.

It may be noted that almost all restrictions imposed in Jammu ahead of abrogation of Article 370 and division of the state into two Union Territories on August 5 have already been lifted.

In Kashmir, meanwhile, restrictions continued to be imposed for the 12th consecutive day today. The authorities have, however, lifted restrictions on the movement of people in summer capital Srinagar. Section 144,however, continues to remain imposed in the Valley. "Restrictions on the movement of people have been eased in most parts of the Valley. The situationso far has remained peaceful," a senior official of the stateadministration was quoted as saying. Officials said people have been allowed to move around Srinagar and other towns while adding that the number of securitypersonnel deployed in the state continues to remain the same. There wereearlier reports that the state administration had asked government employees to report for duty on Friday. That announcement was made through radio.

Schools, government offices, shops and other business establishments have remained closed in the Valley since August 5 when HomeMinister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha tabled a resolution to abrogate Article 370and Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019 to bifurcate the state. Government officials have said that they are monitoring the situation in the Valley on areal-time basis and a call will be taken to lift restrictions basis ground situation