Security forces deployed after violence in West Bengal's Birbhum; internet services suspended
Times of India | 15 March 2025
NEW DELHI: Internet and VoIP services have been suspended in five Gram Panchayat areas near Sainthia town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district following reports of violence, according to news agency ANI.
Officials announced on Friday that this measure aims to prevent rumour-mongering and illegal activities. The suspension remains active from March 14 (Friday) through March 17 (Monday).
The Principal Secretary of Home and Hill Affairs Department, West Bengal Government, issued the directive on March 14, citing worries about potential rumour-spreading that could lead to unlawful activities.
Law enforcement personnel have been positioned in the affected localities following reports of stone-pelting incidents in Birbhum.
The official directive states: "Any data related message or class of message to or from any person or class of persons, to or from any telecommunication equipment or class of telecommunication equipment, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication service or telecommunication network under the ambit of Telecommunications Act, 2023, shall temporarily not be transmitted in the interest of maintaining public order and preventing incitement to the commission of any offence."
The directive clarifies that voice calls and SMS services remain unaffected. Additionally, newspaper circulation continues normally, ensuring that "communication and dissemination of knowledge and information is not stopped in any way."
The affected areas include Sainthia, Hatora Gram Panchayat (GP), Mathpalsa GP, Harisara GP, Dariyapur GP, and Fulur GP.
The order specifies: "In view of the recent events in some areas, Internet transmissions and voice over internet telephony maybe used for spreading rumour for unlawful activities in geographical area of Sainthia town area of Sainthia Municipality, Hatora GP, Mathpalsa GP, Harisara GO, Fariyapur GP and Fulur GP area under Sainthia police station of Sainthia community development block in Birbhum Revenue district, under Birbhum police district over the next dfew days and hence the service may be temporarily shut down."
The restrictions took effect immediately on March 14 and will continue until 8am of March 17.