Mobile internet and broadband services will be temporarily suspended in several regions of West Bengal to prevent unlawful activities.
According to the state government’s order, the internet services will be suspended in few blocks of Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum and Darjeeling districts. The services will remain suspended between 11 am to 3:15 pm from March 7 to 9, March 11 and 12, and March 14 to 16.
West Bengal’s Additional Chief Secretary in an official order said that intelligence reports have been received that internet transmissions and voice over internet telephony might be used for unlawful activities in certain areas over the next few days.
The order said that the examination of the information received “gives reason to believe” that such unlawful activities are likely to occur in the absence of preventive measures.
“The Constitution of India guarantees freedom of expression of Indian Citizens but at the same time allows for reasonable restrictions on the same,” it said.
The state government clarified that no restriction is being imposed on voice calls and SMS and on newspapers, noting that communication and dissemination of knowledge and information is not stopped in any way.
“In order to prevent obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed, or danger to human life, health or safety, or a disturbance of the public tranquillity, or a riot or an affray, through an order under Sec. 144 CrPC and in compliance of sub-rule 2(1) of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Service) Rules, 2017 and sub-rule 2(A) of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Amendment) Rules, 2020 it is promulgated that: Any data related message or class of messages to or from any person or class of persons relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by or transmitted or received by any telegraph within the ambit of the India Telegraph Act, 1885, shall temporarily not be transmitted in the interest of maintaining public order and preventing incitement to the commission of any offence within the jurisdiction of the Block/Police Stations listed in the Annexure and duly authenticated by me,” the order read.
