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The Haryana government has suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in Nuh district for 24 hours, from 6 pm Sunday to 6 pm Monday, to prevent the spread of misinformation ahead of the Braj Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad and other bodies. This measure is intended to maintain peace.
Anurag Rastogi Addl Chief Secretary to Govt. of Haryana in a letter said, "Whereas, it has been brought to my notice by ADGP/CID, Haryana and Deputy Commissioner, Nuh, vide their requests dated July 21, 2024, and July 20, 2024, respectively, that there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property, and disturbance of public peace and tranquility in the district Nuh." The letter stated that there is a clear potential of disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in district Nuh on account of misuse of internet services by way of spread of inflammatory material and false rumours, which are being/could be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile internet services, SMS services, and other dongle services. The letter further stated that in order to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Twitter, etc. on mobile phones and SMS for facilitation and mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities suspension of the mobile internet services have been ordered. "In exercise of powers conferred upon me by virtue of Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 to be read along with Rule 2(1) of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, I, Home Secretary, Haryana, do hereby order the suspension of the mobile internet services(2G/3G/4G/5G/CDMA/GPRS), bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the jurisdiction of district Nuh of Haryana State," Anurag Rastogi further stated in the letter. All telecom service providers of Haryana are hereby directed to ensure the compliance of this order. It is emphasised that this order is being issued after taking utmost care of public convenience by exempting individual SMS, mobile recharge, banking SMS, voice calls, internet services provided by broadband and lease lines of corporate and domestic households, thus not affecting the commercial/financial interests of the state and basic domestic needs of individuals, the letter stated. (ANI)
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