Internet services, bulk SMS suspended in Haryana's Nuh again, here's why

Internet has been suspended again in Nuh which was the epicentre of violence in parts of Haryana on 31 July in which six people died. The violence broke out when a procession led by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Nuh was attacked by unruly mobs. The Haryana government on Friday announced that there will be no internet service in Nuh from 10 am on 15 September 2023 to 11:59 pm on 16 September 2023. The decision to suspend the internet was taken hours after Haryana Congress MLA Mamman Khan was arrested in connection with the Nuh violence case. He is scheduled to appear in Nuh District Court on Friday for legal proceedings.

Haryana | To avoid any untoward incident, Sec 144 CrPc has been imposed till further orders. Mobile internet will be banned till 16th September. We have appealed to people to offer Friday prayers in their homes: DC Nuh pic.twitter.com/ETOhaFaL2b

— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2023

Khan, a Ferozepur Jhirka legislator, has been named as an accused in an FIR lodged after the communal clashes. He was arrested late on Thursday night. “…Home Secretary, Haryana, do hereby order the suspension on the mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/5G/CDMA/GPRS), bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the jurisdiction of district of Nuh of Haryana State,” government of Haryana said in a circular issued on Friday. “All telecom service providers are hereby directed to ensure the compliance of this order,” Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana government, T.V.S.N. Prasad said. The state government said “This order is issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of District Nuh… This order is being passed ex-parte in view of the emergent situation… Any person found guilty of violation of aforesaid order will be liable for legal action under relevant provisions.” Why internet has been suspended again in Nuh? The Haryana government home secretary in the notification said the decision to suspend the internet has been taken following the request of the Deputy Commissioner on 14 September. The police officer stated that there has been an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage to public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in Nuh. “And whereas, there is a clear potential of disruption of public utilities, damage of public assets and amenities and disturbances of public law and order in district Nuh on account of misuse of internet services by way of spread of inflammatory material and false rumours, which are being/could be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile internet services, SMS services and other dongle services,” the notification read. “In order to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc. on mobile phones and SMS, for facilitation and mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities,” the Haryana government said in its circular.