Farmers' protest: MHA suspends internet at Delhi border areas till end of the day

This comes against the backdrop of agitating farmers' unions calling for a 'chakka jam'

Protesters sit on a street during a roadblock-protest called by farmers, part of their continuing demonstration against the central government's recent agricultural reforms, in Gurugram. Credit: AFP Photo

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday once again suspended internet services at the farmers' protest sites in Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri at Delhi's borders and adjoining localities for 24 hours.

This came against the backdrop of agitating farmers' unions calling for a 'chakka jam' (traffic block) for three hours on Saturday afternoon though it had kept Delhi and Uttarakhand out of the protest plans.

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The suspension of internet was done by invoking the relevant sections of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017.

"...in the interest of maintaining public safety and everting public emergency, 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 National Capital Territory of Delhi from 00:00 hours on February 6 to 11:59 PM on February 6," the order signed by Ministry of Home Affairs Deputy Secretary Shailendra Vikram Singh said.

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The order was issued with the approval of Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.

Earlier on January 30, the MHA had suspended internet services at these localities till 11 pm on January 31. This was done four days after the tractor rally by farmers turned violent. It was later extended till February 2.

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