Key Developments since last report

• Internet access and freedom of assembly remained restricted during the year in the wake of the region’s 2019 political reorganization. However, 4G internet service was largely restored to the region in February.
• In October, a new wave of militant attacks against members of minority religious communities in the region, and against migrant workers, caused many to flee. Security forces responded to the surge in militant violence by briefly detaining hundreds of civilians; the increase in violence caused by both militants and security forces resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people in under three weeks. 
• Indian officials signaled in June that statehood for Jammu and Kashmir—a union territory under the direct control of the central Indian government—would be restored, with elections for a new legislature to be held following the redrawing of constituency boundaries. However, no specific timetable had been announced at year’s end.