Internet services suspended in 6 districts of Bengal; Guv requests CM to remove ads

Following continuous protest in various parts of West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankar, on Sunday (December 15) appealed the people to maintain peace.

According to ANI, Dhankar requested people to do everything they can do to lend a helping hand to people in distress, and to maintain peace. Similarly, he requested the chief minister to withdraw the advertisements that the government has put regarding the Citizenship Act.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar: I am sure the CM will at least withdraw advertisements (ads by West Bengal government stating #CitizenshipAmendmentAct & #NRC will not be implemented in the state), they are unconstitutional and it is criminal use of public funds. https://t.co/Br00awM050

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2019

Earlier, to avoid spreading of fake news amid the ongoing violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act, internet services were suspended in six districts in the state.

According to a senior government official, the government has decided to shutdown Internet services in Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and parts of South 24 Parganas districts to prevent rumour-mongering and circulation of fake news, especially on social media.

District Magistrate of Malda: Internet service has been suspended across the district for next 48 hours, starting from 2 pm today, until further orders. #WestBengal

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2019

Also read: Beleaguered Mamata in a spot as citizenship Act protests singe Bengal

“Despite several requests, a few communal outfits have been carrying out violent protests. In view of the situation, the administration has decided to temporarily suspend Internet
services in five districts of the state,” the official said.

In South 24 Parganas district, Internet services were suspended in Baruipur and Canning sub-divisions, he said. Incidents of violence, loot and arson were reported from Nadia, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Howrah districts, police said.

This comes a day after five empty trains were set on fire at Lalgola Railway Station in Murshidabad.

The Act has put the various parts of Northeast region and West Bengal on the boil. The Citizenship Act provides Indian citizenship rights to three non-Muslim refugees, from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who moved to India on or before December 31, 2014 .

(With inputs from agencies)