Internet services to be suspended in West Bengal today in these 7 districts

A day without the internet is difficult to imagine in these pandemic-hit times. Today, almost everything depends on a good internet connection, from online classes, to office work, making payments, buying groceries, etc. You can do it all online. But what if your internet connection gets suspended? If you live in West Bengal here is an update for you. Mobile internet and broadband services will be temporarily suspended in several regions of West Bengal for eight days. The decision has been taken by the state government to prevent unlawful activities.

The internet services will be suspended in a few blocks under the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum and Darjeeling, according to the state government's order. Also, as per the information, services will remain suspended between 11 AM- 3:15 PM during March 7-9, March 11 -12, and March 14-16.

West Bengal's Additional Chief Secretary said in a statement, as quoted by ANI, "The government has received intelligence reports that unlawful activities can be carried in certain areas over internet transmissions and voice over internet telephony and hence restrictions are being imposed on the use of internet."

It can be noted that no restriction is being imposed on voice calls and SMS and newspapers.

"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 Cr.P.C. 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.