The Union Home Affairs Ministry has ordered extension of ban on internet services a few Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib till February 24.
Earlier, the Centre had ordered suspension of internet services from February 12 to 16 ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers, under the Telegraph Act of 1885.
The latest order says the internet services will remain suspended in Shambhu, Julkan, Passian, Patran, Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaur, Devigarh and Balbhera police station limits in Patiala; Lalru police station in Mohali; Sangat police station in Bathinda; Killianwali police station in Muktsar; Sardulgarh and Boha police stations in Mansa; and Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam and Chajli police stations in Sangrur; and areas under Fatehgarh Sahib police station.
"In exercise of the power conferred by section 7 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with Sub-rule 1 of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017, and in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency, it is necessary and expedient to order, the temporary suspension of internet services from 00:00 Hrs on February 17, 2024 to 23:59 Hrs on February 24, 2024 in the following areas," the order read.
The Haryana government has also suspended internet services in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts.
The farmers launched the march last week in a bid to push the Centre to accept their demands, including a law on minimum support price for crops and loan waivers.
