The Haryana government late on Friday suspended internet services in 13 districts in the state until midnight of November 26, apprehending law and order problems in view of two public rallies by a Jat body and an MP of the ruling BJP, both events being scheduled for November 26.
Mobile internet services provided on mobile networks except voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of districts of Jind, Hansi, Bhiwani, Hisar, Fatehabad, Karnal, Panipat, Kaithal, Rohtak, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri will remain suspended until midnight of November 26, an official order said.
The orders to this effect were issued by Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (home department), S.S. Prasad.
"The order was issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of state of districts as mentioned," the order said.
It mentioned that there was a likelihood of tension, annoyance, obstruction or injury to persons; danger to human life and property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity within the limits of the state of Haryana by protesters or agitators and antisocial elements during the two public rallies on November 26 at Jassia in Rohtak district and at Jind.
On Friday, a group of Jats, who were opposing a rally by Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini at Jind, clashed with the police and blocked the Jind-Chandigarh National Highway in Jind.
The police had to resort to mild lathi charge to disperse the protesters and the highway was cleared for normal movement of vehicular traffic after a while.
Jat leader Sandeep Bharti, who led the protesters, were demanding cancellation of Saini's rally.
Bharti alleged that Saini was known for his anti-Jat statements. He also accused Saini of spreading communal hatred by making inflammatory and derogatory statements against Jats.
Saini, who had been opposing new reservation quotas for Jats, had earlier announced a 'Samanta Maha Sammelan' in Jind for November 26.
Jat leader Yashpal Malik had previously announced plans to hold a rally at Jassia in Rohtak district on November 26.
