Social Media Sites Blocked In Bihar's Darbhanga Till July 30 As Communal Violence Flares Tension

The Sunday clashed mounted tensions and people from both the communities indulged in stone pelting until the situation was brought under control by the police and local administration. 

Social media websites were blocked in Bihar’s Darbhanga district till July 30 after tensions flared up following a clash over hoisting of a religious flag, as per a notification issued on Thursday. The clash broke out on Sunday near Bazar Samiti Chowk in Darbhanga town after some people objected to the hoisting of a religious place close to the place of worship of another community, said the police as per a PTI report. 

Some anti-social elements are using the internet to share objectionable content to spread "rumour and disaffection" among the public to incite them and cause damage to life and property, besides disturbing peace and tranquillity, the notification stated.

"Now, therefore, in the interest of maintenance of public order, the department hereby directs all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that any messages to or from any person or class of persons relating to any subject or pictorial content through social networking sites or application shall not be transmitted in Darbhanga district from 4 pm on July 27, 2023 till 4 pm on July 30, 2023," said the order issued by the state Home Department, as per a PTI report.

However, the locals complained that other sites were also not working in the area, affecting internet-related services. 

The Sunday clashed mounted tensions and people from both the communities indulged in stone pelting until the situation was brought under control by the police and local administration. 

Police said that several people have been arrested in connection with the incident and the situation is "completely under control" in Darbhanga. 

Adequate forces have been deployed in the area to check any untoward incidents. The district police are keeping a close vigil over the area," said JS Gangwar, the Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Headquarters).

In view of Muharram, the security has been beefed up across the state, he added. 

"Twenty-four companies of Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP), 4,500 home guards, 7,790 trainee constables and six companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the state to check any untoward incident," he said.