Haryana Government on Friday suspended mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of districts of Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithal, Panipat, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Rewari and Sirsa too.

Meanwhile, several farmers from parts of Haryana on Friday moved towards Delhi borders to join the ongoing agitation against agri-laws and also held protests against lookout notices to peasant leaders.

An official spokesperson said that the suspension in these 14 districts will be imposed  till 5 pm on January 30, 2021, while the suspensions of mobile internet services Sonipat, Palwal and Jhajjar has been extended  for next 24 hours till 5 pm on January 30, 2021.

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 spokesman said that 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 mobilization 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.