Internet services suspended at Delhi borders

The Home Ministry order said that the internet services will remain suspended for two days to 'maintain public safety.'

The Union Home Ministry issued a notification on Saturday saying that the internet services will be suspended from 11 pm of January 29 to 11 pm of January 31 at the Delhi borders in Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri and their nearby areas in order to 'maintain public safety and averting public emergency' during the ongoing protests of farmers against the three farm laws. "... it is necessary and expedient to order the temporary suspension of internet services in the areas of Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, and their adjoining areas in the NCT of Delhi from 11 pm on January 29 to 11 pm on January 31," the Home Ministry order read.

The MHA has invoked the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety Rules 2017) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to suspend internet in the borders and adjoining areas.The Haryana government too had suspended internet services in 14 districts which later increased to 17, on Friday till 5 pm on January 30. The 17 districts included Ambala, Yamuna Nagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Rewari, Sirsa, Sonipat, Palwal and Jhajjar.

Farmers have been protesting against the three farm laws for the past two months. After the Red Fort breach, tension has fueled at the protest sites. Reportedly protesters were asked to leave the Ghazipur protest site by Thursday midnight and heavy police and security personnel were deployed at the spots in Singhu (epicenter of the ongoing protest), Ghazipur and Tikri. However, at Ghazipur, BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait announced they will not budge and would 'face bullets' if required. He broke down in tears and threatened to commit suicide. This intensified the protest and more farmers arrived at the site in support of the cause. The UP administration had cut off power and water supply at the Ghazipur border, as per the reports.

Meanwhile at Singhu, a group of around 200 people claimed to be locals, forced themselves into the protest site and pelted stones, vandalized the tents and broke washing machines of the protesting farmers, according to the reports. Later, 44 people were arrested including the man who was caught holding a sword in his hand. Reportedly, two police officials were injured in the clashes, one with a sword. Farmers have blamed the central government for misrepresenting their peaceful protest by various ways and for 'plotting' against them in order to end their agitation eventually.