Farmers’ Protest: Home Ministry Extends Internet Suspension In Parts Of Punjab Till Feb 24

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing farmers’ protest, the suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas of some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib, till February 24 on the orders of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, the internet services were suspended from February 12 till 16 in view of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. 

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, reported news agency PTI.

The decision to extend the suspension of internet services was made under the powers granted by the Telegraph Act of 1885, citing the need to maintain public safety and avert public emergencies. 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, 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 read, as per PTI.

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Punjab CM Mann Raised Concern On Internet Suspension

In response, the Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, raised concerns about the suspension of internet services during the February 15 meeting with Union ministers and farmer leaders in Chandigarh.

Simultaneously, the Haryana government has also imposed restrictions on mobile internet services in several districts, including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa.

The ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, aims to put pressure on the Central government to address key demands, notably the enactment of a law guaranteeing minimum support prices for crops and the provision of loan waivers to farmers, as per PTI.

Farmers from Punjab began their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Tuesday but were stopped by security forces stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana. Since then, the protesting farmers have established camps at these border points, demonstrating their resolve to continue their struggle until their demands are met.