Farmers’ Delhi march: Haryana shuts down mobile internet, suspends bulk SMS in Ambala from December 6-9
The Ambala district administration closed all schools and restricted gatherings ahead of the farmers' Dilli Chalo March. Mobile internet and bulk SMS services are also suspended in the Haryana district till December 9.
Farmers' Delhi march: As farmers prepare to begin their Dilli Chalo March from Haryana on Friday, mobile internet has been shut down in several villages in Ambala district from December 6 to December 9, PTI reported. Additionally, the bulk SMS services will also remain suspended.
The Ambala district administration has also restricted the assembly of five or more persons in the district, according to an order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Farmers' protest to begin today
A 'jatha' (group) of 101 farmers was expected to embark on a foot march to Delhi at 1 pm on Friday from their protest site at Shambhu on the Punjab and Haryana border.
Farmers protest to Delhi: Internet shutdown in Ambala
Mobile internet will remain shut in nearly 10 villages close to Ambala district from December 6 to December 9, the Haryana government said in an order today.
According to an official release by the Government of Haryana, mobile internet services have been shut under Section 20 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
However, the release mentioned that banking and mobile recharge services would still be functional.
Farmers' protest: Where will internet remain shut in Haryana today?
The shutdown has been imposed in many villages in Ambala district, including Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu, Majira, Devi Nagar, Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru. All telecom service providers have been directed to comply with the order.
The announcement was made to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, including WhatsApp, X and Facebook.
Why are farmers protesting?
Farmers are attempting to revive the protest that the government thwarted at the beginning of 2024. The farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for a minimum support price for crops. A heavy deployment of security personnel has been made on the Haryana side of the border.
The deputy commissioner has directed that no procession on foot, in vehicles, or in other modes will be allowed until further orders are issued.
School holiday in Ambala
Amid heightened tension in the region due to the farmers' protest, Ambala authorities have announced a school holiday in the district for Friday.
"The government and private schools will remain closed on Friday," Ambala District Education Officer Suresh Kumar said. A multilayered barricading is already in place at the Shambhu border point on Rajpura (Punjab)-Ambala (Haryana) National Highway 44.
The farmers' march to Delhi has been called by a group of 101 farmers. Ahead of the protest, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher termed the 101 farmers who will begin the march 'marjeevras', someone willing to die for a cause. Pandher, who said the march would be carried out in a "peaceful manner," slammed the Haryana administration for prohibiting the foot march despite his promising farmers would not take any tractor-trolley with them.
Apart from farm leaders, politicians from the Aam Aadmi Party urged the Centre to pay heed to farmers' demands and resolve the issue as soon as possible. AAP State President Aman Arora on Friday said the government should not stop peaceful protests.
Arora also wondered why the government wanted to stop the farmers when they would be marching on foot in a peaceful manner.
"It was said that farmers can march on foot, but now Haryana authorities have issued prohibitory orders and barred that too," Arora said.
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Business NewsNewsIndiaFarmers’ Delhi march: Haryana shuts down mobile internet, suspends bulk SMS in Ambala from December 6-9
First Published:6 Dec 2024, 12:52 PM IST
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