Internet Suspended in 5 Districts of Haryana Ahead of SKM Protest in Karnal
On Monday, the Haryana government ordered to suspend internet service in Karnal and four other adjoining districts. The decision came after farmers threatened to gherao mini-Secretariat to protest against the 28 August lathi charge in Karnal.
In view of the call given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha(SKM) to protest and gherao the mini secretariat of Karnal district in Haryana, the Secretary of the state's Home Department has issued orders to suspend internet services in Karnal. The local administration has also imposed Section 144 of CrPC, restricting the assembly of five or more people at a place.
To Stop Misinformation
The government order said 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. It said this could facilitate the 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.
Besides Karnal, the Haryana government has also suspended internet and SMS services in four neighbouring districts, including Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind and Panipat, in an order issued later.
The suspension took effect from Monday midnight and will be effective till Tuesday midnight.
Talks Failed
Gurnam Singh Chadhuni, Haryana Bhartiya Kisan Union chief, on Monday, said, " A mahapanchayat will be held in Karnal on Tuesday, after which farmers will proceed to Gherao for the mini-secretariat."
The gathering is being organised as talks, between the farmers' leaders and the Karnal district administration failed. The farmers were demanding strict action against IAS officer Ayush Sinha, who was caught on tape allegedly telling policemen to "break heads" of protesting farmers on 28 August.
The Haryana Police later lathi-charged a group of farmers for disrupting traffic movement on a national highway towards Karnal to protest against a BJP meeting. Over 10 protesters were injured.
"We will hold a peaceful protest on 7 September, but if the administration stops us, then we will break barricades," Chaduni told reporters yesterday, adding that farmers have no plan to block the national highway.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has appealed to the farmers' union to protest peacefully.
Karnal Superintendent of Police Ganga Ram Punia has informed us that a total of 40 companies of security personnel, including 10 of the Central Armed Police Forces, also comprising CRPF and BSF personnel, have been deployed to control any law and order situation that may arise.
