Citizenship Act Protests: Internet Services Suspended Across Assam Till Monday

These services have been suspended as 'social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and You Tube, etc are likely to be used for spreading of rumours'.

In order to prevent alleged misuse of social media in disturbing peace in Assam and to maintain law and order in the state, officials on Saturday said that the internet services across Assam will remain suspended till December 16.

Guwahati: In order to prevent alleged misuse of social media in disturbing peace in Assam and to maintain law and order in the state, officials on Saturday said that the internet services across Assam will remain suspended till December 16. The additional chief secretary (home and political department) Sanjay Krishna was quoted by PTI as saying that suspension of internet services have been extended for another 48 hours keeping in view the prevailing law and order situation in the state. These services have been suspended as "social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and You Tube, etc are likely to be used for spreading of rumours and also for transmission of information like pictures, videos and texts that have the potential to inflame passions and does exacerbate the law and order situation". Internet services were suspended on Wednesday initially for 24 hours in ten districts of the state, and then extended for another 48 hours across the state, scheduled to expire this afternoon. Also Watch | Assam: Curfew relaxed till 2 pm in Dibrugarh As the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was cleared by Parliament, violent protests broke out in the state with agitators engaging in pitched battles with the police, forcing the administration to impose curfew in several places. The legislation has put the Northeast on boil as people fear that it may exacerbate the problem of illegal immigration. (with inputs from agencies)