West Bengal Govt Suspends Internet Services In Seven Districts To Curb Unlawful Activities

The internet services will be suspended in the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum, and Darjeeling.

Representational Image | AFP

New Delhi: The West Bengal Government, on Thursday, announced suspension of internet services in seven districts for eight days as a preventive measure to avoid unlawful activities in the region, reported news agency ANI. 

The internet services will be suspended in the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum, and Darjeeling.

"The government has received intelligence reports that unlawful activities can be carried in certain areas over internet transmissions and voice over internet telephony and hence restrictions are being imposed on the use of the internet,” said the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, West Bengal.

"The restriction will be imposed in a few blocks under the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum and Darjeeling on March 7 to 9, March 11 and 12 and on March 15 and 16 from 11:00 am to 3:15 pm," the statement said further. 

“The Constitution of India guarantees freedom of expression of Indian Citizens but at the same time allows for reasonable restrictions on the same,” it said.

No restriction will be imposed on newspapers, SMS, and Voice Calls. 

“In order to prevent obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed, or danger to human life, health or safety, or a disturbance of the public tranquillity, or a riot or an affray, through an order under Sec. 144 CrPC and in compliance of sub-rule 2(1) of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Service) Rules, 2017 and sub-rule 2(A) of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Amendment) Rules, 2020 it is promulgated that: Any data related message or class of messages to or from any person or class of persons relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by or transmitted or received by any telegraph within the ambit of the India Telegraph Act, 1885, shall temporarily not be transmitted in the interest of maintaining public order and preventing incitement to the commission of any offence within the jurisdiction of the Block/Police Stations listed in the Annexure and duly authenticated by me,” the order stated.