New Delhi (Citizenship Amendment Act protests): In  view of the large-scale demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Telecom major Vodafone Idea, Airtel and Reliance Jio suspended voice calls, SMS and internet data services in several parts of Delhi. Certain media reports claim Bharti Airtel have also suspended similar services and have informed customers saying. "We're complying with instructions received from govt. authorities on suspending Voice, SMS and data in certain areas in Delhi".


Mobile Internet and SMS have been shut in these areas of Central Delhi area, Central district, Walled city area, Mandi House, Selampur, Zafarabad, Shaeenbagh, Jamia Nagar, Mustafabad as per instructions, said an operator quoted by IANS.

As per the order, services were suspended for locations including walled city areas of north and central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad, Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh and Bawana.

Telecom service providers including Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio barred the services to comply with the order.

"In view of the prevailing law and order situation, it is hereby directed that communication of all types i.e. voice, SMS and internet, be halted from 0900 hours to 1300 hours in Cell IDs/BTS (base transceiver stations) covering the following areas for 19-12-2019," said the order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, New Delhi.



Despite prohibitory orders issued by Delhi Police, protestors have gathered at Red Fort and Mandi House.

Police have already detained scores of protesters at the Red Fort and taken away in buses.

Department of Telecom sources said the they would not share details on this as it is sensitive information to law and order. Bharti Airtel put out a Twitter message: "As per instructions from government authorities, voice, Internet and SMS services are currently suspended in areas."

It is, however, not clear how long will the services be suspended as protests in most parts of the national capital are gradually intensifying.

As a precautionary measure, entry and exit at as many as 16 Delhi Metro stations were also closed despite massive police deployment and imposition of prohibitory orders in several places.

(With inputs from Agencies)