The Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana on Tuesday extended the temporary ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts of the state till Wednesday i.e. February 21 following agitation by farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’. did.
The government said the measures are aimed at stopping the spread of misinformation through various social media platforms and preventing disruption to peace and order.
In an order, the state government said that the situation remains critical and tense in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts, resulting in disruption of public works, damage to public assets and chaos. He said there was a clear possibility. maintenance of law and order in these districts;
Haryana additional chief secretary TVSN Prasad said in the order, “After assessing the prevailing law and order situation in the state, it remains critical in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts. “The situation remains tense,” he said.
Prasad said, “It is clear that the misuse of internet services by spreading inflammatory content and false rumors has the potential to disrupt public works, damage public assets and facilities, and disrupt public law and order in the above-mentioned areas.” ”. He said.
The state government had earlier extended the mobile internet suspension on February 13, 15, 17 and 19.
The order was issued under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Rule 2 of the Suspension of Telecommunication Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
According to the order, suspension of all dongle services provided on mobile networks except mobile internet services, bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and voice calls in the seven district jurisdictions will be effective from February 21. will be extended to.
Separately, the Center has ordered the temporary blocking of around 177 social media accounts and web links related to the farmers’ protests, news agency PTI reported citing sources.
The order was issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on February 14 and 19 on the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 69A of the IT Act.
“At the request of the Ministry of Interior, an order was issued to temporarily block 177 social media accounts and web links in order to maintain law and order,” the report said.
Links and accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and some other social media platforms were ordered to be blocked. The source added that these records can be restored once the farmers’ agitation ends.
Protesting farmers took to the streets in Punjab and Haryana after security forces blocked their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march demanding various demands from the Center, including a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops. They continue to remain at the border points of Shambhu and Kanauli. That led to last week’s clash.
Farmer leaders who took part in Monday’s agitation said they will march to the national capital on Wednesday after government agencies rejected the Centre’s proposal to procure pulses, maize and cotton at MSP for five years, saying it was not in the interest of farmers. Announced.
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Published: February 20, 2024, 11:27 PM IST
