Key Points:
- In the Delhi border areas of Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri – epicenters of the farmers’ weeks-long protest against the centre’s agriculture laws – will be suspended from 11 pm for a period of 48 hours, the Union Home Ministry said in a notification issued Saturday afternoon.
- On Saturday, a statement was issued to 17 districts saying that the ban is extended up to 31st January.
Delhi borders have been deprived of the internet services amidst the ongoing Famer’s Protest. In the Delhi border areas of Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri – epicenters of the farmers’ weeks-long protest against the centre’s agriculture laws – will be suspended from 11 pm for a period of 48 hours, the Union Home Ministry said in a notification issued Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday, a statement was issued to 17 districts saying that the ban is extended up to 31st January which includes Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Rewari, Sirsa, Sonipat, Jhajjar and Palwal district till 5 pm.
“… it is necessary and expedient to order the temporary suspension of internet services in the areas of Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, and their adjoining areas in the NCT of Delhi from 11 pm on January 29 to 11 pm on January 31,” the ministry notification said.
In a statement, Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed the internet ban was ordered “with the intention to crush the farmers’ agitation” and demanded its immediate resumption.
He said the decision will affect professionals working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, students, traders and shopkeepers and cause inconvenience to the common people.
Three of the districts—Jhajjar, Sonipat and Palwal—have not had mobile internet services since January 26. The remaining five districts (out of 22) where mobile internet services are still available are Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh, Mahendragarh and Panchkula. Forbes India was able to confirm with residents of Gurugram, Faridabad and Panchkula that their mobile internet services are still functional.
