Farmers Protest: Internet is Suspended for 12 Hours at Protest Area in Delhi as Farmers Rally Turned Violent

As the farmers’ tractor parade turned violent with a clash breaking out between police and protesters in the national capital, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order for temporary suspension of internet services in parts of the National Capital Region.

The government order sent to telecom service providers directed for short term suspension of internet services in areas of Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk, and Nangloi and their adjoining areas in the NCT of Delhi from 12.00 hours to 23.59 hours on the Republic Day, as per the Department of Telecom.

The decision, issued under Section 7 of the India Telegraph Act and approved by the Union home secretary, said the suspension of services was necessary for the interest of maintaining public safety and averting a public emergency.

"The government has invoked Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency to suspend internet services in areas closer to farmers protest sites," a source told.

As per the Department of Telecom spokesperson, the internet shutdown order has been invoked by the local law and order administration and not by the department.

People residing close to farmers' protest sites said that they are getting SMSes for the suspension of



internet service in their area. "As per the government instructions, the Internet services have been temporarily stopped in your area because of which you are not able to use these services. You will be able to use the Internet services once we get directions from the government," an SMS sent by a telecom operator.

The clash broke out after protesting farmers reached ITO and tried to push towards Lutyen's Delhi, following which the force resorted to lathi-charge and used tear gas shells against them.

Later, the protesting farmers had entered the Red Fort and hoisted flags from some domes of the iconic monument.

The crowd swelled as some of the protesters and 'Nihangs' (traditional Sikh warriors) were seen entering the Red Fort and hoisting a flag from the staff from which the prime minister unfurls the Tricolour on Independence Day.

The farmers who began their march from different border points, much before the time permitted to them for their tractor rally, reached ITO in Central Delhi despite the force denying them permission for it.

The Delhi Police had given permission to farmers protesting the three farm laws to hold their tractor parade on selected routes only after the official Republic Day parade on the Rajpath concludes. However, chaos ensued as the farmers were adamant about heading towards central Delhi.