Farmers' protest: Mobile internet services suspended in 14 Haryana districts
The Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile internet services across 14 districts until Saturday evening. The move is aimed at limiting the spread of fake news amid the farmers' agitation, which had taken a violent turn earlier in the day at the Singhu border between Delhi and Haryana. Singhu border is the most prominent location of the farmers' protest that has gone on for months.
The state government has ordered the suspension of mobile internet (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS) and SMS services in Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Jind, Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, and Rohtak districts. The suspension will remain effective for 24 hours until 5 pm on Saturday. Apart from voice calling, SMS services will remain active for banking and mobile recharge, the order stated.
In Sonipat, Jhajjar, and Palwal districts—where these services had already been suspended—the suspension has been extended till 5 pm on Saturday. "Any person found guilty of violation of aforesaid order will be liable for legal action under relevant provisions," the order stated.
The order—signed by Rajeev Arora, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) in the Haryana government—stated, "Provocative misinformation and fake news on social media regarding ongoing farmers' agitation has been rampant across...various districts of Haryana and there is a likelihood of disturbance of law and order, public peace, and tranquility in some districts of the state by protesters, agitators, miscreants, and anti-social elements."
Earlier on Friday, a police officer was stabbed at the Singhu border. Reportedly, local residents had clashed with farmers protesting at the site demanding that the area be cleared. The locals accused the farmers of insulting the National Flag, PTI reported. The police used teargas shelling and baton-charging to disperse the crowd. At least two people, including a cop, were reportedly injured in the violence.
Farmers protesting against the central government's agricultural laws had staged a tractor rally on India's 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday. The rally took a violent turn as the protesters clashed with cops. Some protesters also breached the Red Fort and hoisted Nishan Sahib, a triangular saffron flag bearing the khanda symbol sacred to Sikhs. This was viewed as an insult to the National Flag.
