Haryana Government on Sunday further extended the suspension of mobile internet services in 14 districts till 5 pm on February 1 to “prevent any disturbance of peace and public order” amid a protest by farmers against three farm laws. The Government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services in districts of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Charkhi Dadri, Sonipat and Jhajjar till 5 pm on February 1, said an official spokesman.

In the fresh order issued by the Home Department, the suspension has not been extended in Yamunanagar, Palwal and Rewari districts, where the mobile internet services were suspended earlier.

Haryana government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), SMS services (only bulk SMS) and all dongle services, etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of the 14 districts, the spokesman said.

This order has been issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of these districts of Haryana. Any person who will be found guilty of violation of aforesaid order will be liable for legal action under relevant provisions, the spokesman said.

The Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the decision was taken in the wake of the situation which had built up following incidents of violence in the national capital on January 26.

Manohar Lal while talking to the mediapersons in Ambala said the decision to suspend the internet for a temporary period in that situation was appropriate and it would be restored once things normalise.

Referring to the criticism of the Congress party which said that suspension of the mobile internet services would also affect the students, the Chief Minister said that his government had made all arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic also to ensure that studies of students were not disrupted. Hitting out at the Congress, he alleged that the party has contributed towards the situation which has built up after the January 26 incidents.

The issue can be resolved through dialogue, the CM said while adding that the Prime Minister has also said that doors are always open for talks. Notably, the State Government had on Tuesday ordered suspension of mobile internet services in Sonipat, Jhajjar and Palwal districts after a violent farmers’ protest rocked Delhi. On Friday, the government had extended the suspension order to 14 districts. There are a total of 22 districts in the state.