The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the suspension of internet services in certain areas of Punjab’s Patiala and Sangrur districts until March 1, 2024, amid the ongoing farmers' protest.

The affected areas include those under the jurisdiction of police stations Shambhu, Patran, and Shutrana in Patiala district, as well as Khanauri in Sangrur district. The decision comes as the Government continues to grapple with the farmers’ agitation.

This is not the first time that internet services have been suspended in the region. Previously, on February 11, the MHA had initiated a suspension of internet services in several police station areas bordering Haryana, citing intelligence reports regarding the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ program. The suspension lasted until February 16, 2024.

Subsequently, on February 12, 2024, revised orders were issued, expanding the scope of the internet suspension to additional police station areas in Punjab, including parts of Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.

Despite the expiration of the initial order on February 16, 2024, the MHA extended the suspension of internet services in 20 police stations across seven districts of Punjab bordering Haryana until February 24, 2024. The extension was then further prolonged until February 26, 2024.

However, as of February 26, the MHA has not issued any further orders to extend the suspension, although farmers continue their protests in areas such as Shambhu and Khanauri, bordering Haryana.

The farmers’ agitation, spearheaded by the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, began in early February with demands including a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops and the waiver of farm loans, among others.