Chandigarh: The Haryana government has decided to extend the ongoing ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts for an additional two days until February 19, amidst the ongoing farmers’ agitation. The affected districts include Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa. This extension follows previous suspensions on February 13 and 15.

The decision was announced by additional chief secretary of Haryana, T V S N Prasad, citing the critical and tense law and order situation in the mentioned districts. The order highlights concerns over potential disruptions to public utilities, damage to public assets, and disturbance of public law and order due to the misuse of internet services for spreading inflammatory material and false rumors.

The order is issued under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017. It specifies the continued suspension of mobile internet services, bulk SMS (except banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services, excluding voice calls, in the specified districts until February 19.

Meanwhile, protesting farmers continue their demonstration at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the Punjab-Haryana border for the fifth consecutive day, following their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. Their demands include a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pension for farmers and farm laborers, farm debt waiver, among others.

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