A previous suspension of internet service was imposed from February 12 to February 16 in response to the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest.
Digital Desk: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered an extension of the internet service ban till February 24 in a few districts in Punjab, including Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib.
A previous suspension of internet service was imposed from February 12 to February 16 in response to the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest.
According to the ministry's February 16 order, internet services will remain suspended in areas falling under Shambhu, Julkan, Passian, Patran, Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaur, Devigarh and Balbhera police stations in Patiala; Lalru police station in Mohali; Sangat police station in Bathinda; Killianwali police station in Muktsar; Sardulgarh and Boha police stations in Mansa; and Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam and Chajli police stations in Sangrur; and areas under Fatehgarh Sahib police station.
The Telegraph Act of 1885 gave the Center the unique authority to suspend internet access in various parts of Punjab.
"In exercise of the power conferred by section 7 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with Sub-rule 1 of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017, and in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency, it is necessary and expedient to order, the temporary suspension of internet services from 00:00 Hrs on February 17, 2024 to 23:59 Hrs on February 24, 2024 in the following areas," the order stated.
Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, brought up the matter of internet service suspension in certain areas during a meeting with Chandigarh's farmer leaders on February 15.
Bulk SMS and mobile internet services have been discontinued in the districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa by the Haryana government.
Leading the 'Delhi Chalo' movement to exert pressure on the Center over their demands, which include a law on minimum support price for crops and loan waivers, are the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
Farmers from Punjab began their 'Delhi Chalo' march on Tuesday, but at the border crossings with Haryana at Shambhu and Khanauri, security guards halted them.
Since then, the farmers who are protesting have set up camp near the border crossings.
Leave A Comment