After over two months of curbs on civilian movement and an unprecedented communication clampdown, Jammu and Kashmir seems to be gradually stepping on the path towards restoration of normalcy. The first sign came when the Governor’s administration allowed a delegation of National Conference leaders from Jammu to meet the party’s incarcerated chief Dr Farooq Abdullah and his deputy and son Omar Abdullah. Another delegation of Peoples Democratic Party was also supposed to meet the party chief Mehbooba Mufti but the meeting was called off due to unknown reasons. This was followed a day later by another significant move to withdraw the travel advisory for tourists who intend to visit Kashmir. The withdrawal date has been set as October 10. With the Block Development Council polls scheduled to start in Jammu and Kashmir in the last week of this month, it is important that the state administration as well as the Centre take certain measures for restoration of normalcy in the state, especially in Kashmir Valley where educational institutions are closed, markets continue to remain shut during daytime and public transport is largely off roads, even as the spontaneous shutdown has entered third month. As if the physical curbs were not enough, the prevailing internet shutdown has added to the miseries of ordinary people, businesses and even the government. The state government as well the centre have been defending the move to deny people of Kashmir access to information in the virtual world on the grounds that the situation remains precarious and internet may be used by “elements inimical to peace” to fan trouble. However, given the heightened presence of forces on the ground, the security grid seems more than prepared to deal with localized law and order problems. Also, given the reports that more than 4000 people have been jailed or detained over fears that they may participate in situations leading to law and order issues (these reports have been a subject of global scrutiny and have invited criticism of New Delhi’s Kashmir approach after August 5 move on Article 370), one fails to understand what more has to be done before normalcy officially settles in the Valley. The decisions on allowing the meeting of incarcerated leaders of regional mainstream parties like NC and PDP is a welcome step. However, what purpose will the withdrawal of travel advisory serve when tourists intending to visit Kashmir know they won’t be able to remain connected with their families back home? Hence the administration must also devise a strategy for ending the mobile and internet shutdown in Kashmir as third step towards putting J&K on the path of normalcy.