Farmers' stir: Haryana extends ban on mobile Internet, SMS services in Karnal
"In exercise of powers conferred upon me by virtue of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety ) Rules, 2017, I, Home Secretary, Haryana do hereby order for the suspension of the mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services, including bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls, in Karnal district from 12 midnight to 11:59 pm on Wednesday," said an order by the Haryana Government, directing all telecom service providers to ensure the compliance.
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The suspension of telecom services will remain in force from 12 midnight (September 9) to 11.59 pm on Wednesday in view of the farmers' stir at the Mini-Secretariat.
Meanwhile, protesting farmers gathered around the Mini-Secretariat in Karnal in support of their demands after the breakdown of talks with the district administration over their call for action against officials allegedly involved in the lathicharge on August 28.
They announced that they will continue their sit-in at the Mini-Secretariat till the government talks to them over their demands and accepts them.
"We have captured the gate and want to take some rest. It is up to the government now as to when they (officials) want to talk. We are sitting here peacefully till then," said BKU leader Rakesh Tikait.
Farmers breached police barricades as they reached the Mini-Secretariat. Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav said they would continue their protest till the government accepted their demands.
Also read | Karnal lathicharge: BKU's Rakesh Tikait announces indefinite dharna in front of Mini-Secretariat
According to a statement issued by the state government, District Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, Inspector General of Police Mamta Singh, Superintendent of Police Gangaram Punia and other senior officials are still holding talks with the protesters.
The Haryana Government on Monday announced the suspension of Internet and SMS services in Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind and Panipat districts from 12:30 am on September 8, ahead of Kisan Mahapanchayat in Karnal and the call to gherao the Mini-Secretariat by farmers in protest against the police lathicharge on August 28.
Haryana had earlier announced the suspension of Internet services in only Karnal district, but extended it to four adjoining districts later. In Karnal district of Haryana, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was also been enforced on September 8, banning all public assemblies.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is heading the farmers' agitation against the three farm laws, had given a call for the gherao of the Mini-Secretariat, demanding the registration of an FIR against those officials who had allegedly ordered lathicharge on agitators during their protest against a BJP event in Karnal on August 28.
-PTC News
