The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government on Thursday lifted the curbs on mobile internet and SMS services in Punjab's Moga, Sangrur, and Anjala sub-divison along with a few areas of Mohali as well, however, curbs in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur districts were extended till Friday noon. In the rest of Punjab, mobile internet services were resumed on March 21, reported news agency PTI.
State home affairs department and justice on Thursday issued an order to extend the suspension in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur districts "In the interest of public safety, to prevent any incitement to violence and to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order."
"It is directed that all mobile internet services, all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall continue to remain suspended from March 23 (1200 hours) to March 24 (1200 hours) only in the districts Tarn Taran and Ferozepur in continuation of this office order number 1821 dated March 21," read the order.
However, broadband connections were not halted to avoid any disruptions to banking operations, hospital services, and other essential services.
After the police crackdown on members of the Amritpal Singh led radical preaching group "Waris Punjab De," the state authorities halted Internet and SMS services in the state last week. The elusive preacher, however, gave the police a slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district, reported PTI.
Pressure From Opposition
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has come under fire from the Opposition parties including Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal who are demanding Punjab Chief Minister’s resignation.
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly and Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa alleged that the operation to nab Amritpal was done in Jalandhar, eyeing a by-election, instead of arresting him from his village in Amritsar. Based on these charges, he demanded CM Mann’s resignation.
Bajwa said, “He (Amritpal Singh) could have been arrested from his village in Amritsar but the operation was done in the Jalandhar area given the Jalandhar by-elections. All this happened under a strategy...We came here to demand his (CM Mann's) resignation.”