Farmers’ protest: Internet ban in parts of Punjab extended till February 24 | India News – Business Standard
The suspension of internet services has been extended till February 24 in certain areas of some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, following the orders of the Union Home Ministry.
Earlier, internet services were suspended from February 12 to 16 due to the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
As per the ministry’s order dated February 16, 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 Center used its special powers under the Telegraph Act, 1885 to suspend internet services in these areas of Punjab.
“In exercise of the power conferred by Section 7 of the 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 maintain public security and to avert a public emergency, it is necessary and expedient to order the temporary suspension of Internet services from 12:00 AM on February 17, 2024 to 11:59 PM on February 24, 2024 in the following areas,” the order said.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had raised the issue regarding suspension of internet services in certain areas during the February 15 meeting between three Union ministers and farmer leaders in Chandigarh.
The Haryana government has suspended mobile internet services and bulk SMS in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are leading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation to put pressure on the Center over their demands, including a law on minimum support price for crops and loan waiver.
Farmers from Punjab started their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Tuesday but were stopped by security personnel at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana.
Since then, the protesting farmers have been camping at the border points.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
First print: February 18, 2024 | 3:37 PM IST