Haryana Government on Saturday said that the internet services, except voice calls will remain suspended in 17 districts till 5 pm on Sunday. The Government official spokesperson said that internet services will remain suspended in Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Rewari, Sonepat, Palwal, Sirsa and Jhajjar till 5 pm on January 31.

Earlier, the State government had suspended mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/ GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice calls, in 14 districts till 5 pm on January 30. The suspension has been extended by 24 hours till 5 pm on Saturday.

The spokesperson said this order is issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of these districts of Haryana and shall be in force with immediate effect. Any person who will be found guilty of violation of aforesaid order will be liable for legal action under relevant provisions.

The suspension has been ordered under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. All telecom service providers of Haryana including the Head of BSNL (Haryana jurisdiction) are hereby directed to ensure the compliance of this order.

The spokesman said that the State Government has decided to impose this suspension of internet services in order to stop the spread of disinformation 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.