Mobile internet suspended, prohibitory orders imposed in Karnal

Chandigarh: A day ahead of a protest call given by farmers’ union on September 7 in Karnal, Haryana Government has decided to suspend mobile internet services in the district and impose prohibitory orders.

“The mobile internet services will shut down with effect from September 6 from 12:30 am to 23:59 (midnight) on September 7. Prohibitory orders banning gathering of five or more people have been imposed in Karnal,” stated the government's orders.

The farmers’ unions have announced to hold a mahapanchayat and to gherao Karnal mini secretariat on Tuesday in protest against the August 28 lathi charge on farmers in Karnal.

Home Minister Anil Vij told the mediapersons on Monday that elaborate security arrangements have been made in Karnal district to maintain law and order situation. He has also directed Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh Virk to personally stay in Karnal and monitor the whole situation so that the event ends peacefully.

At least 40 companies of additional forces, five superintendent rank officials and 25 deputy superintendent rank officials along with thousands of cops have been deployed in Karnal. The Police has also made arrangements to use drones to maintain law and order situation during farmers’ protest.

Vij said that for the convenience of the people, we have made all the arrangements, have diverted some of the routes and have also deployed sufficient force. 

Responding to a question regarding internet shutdown, Vij said that to prevent mischievous elements from taking advantage of such programmes



the administration has to be careful and internet shutdown is imposed.

In response to the question regarding invoking Section 144, the Home Minister said that wherever the farmers want to protest, we will allow it in a peaceful manner.

A government's order issued stated, “to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of Karnal district, said mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), SMS services, including bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc provided on mobile networks, except voice calling, will remain suspended.” 

It stated that the suspension of mobile internet services was ordered to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter on mobile phones and SMS. This could facilitate mobilisation of mobs that can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson, vandalism or other violent activities, it added.

Earlier in the day, a meeting held between Karnal District Administration and farmers’ unions remained unsuccessful.

Karnal Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav told the mediapersons that the demands put forth by the farmers organizations cannot be fulfilled. They (farmers) have decided to proceed with their protest call on Tuesday in Karnal. We will not allow them to gherao Karnal mini-secretariat and strict action will be taken against those violating law, he said.

No one will be allowed to block highways and roads, he added.