CHANDIGARH, 18 Feb: The suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas of some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, till 24 February on the orders of the union home affairs ministry.
Earlier, the internet services had been suspended from 12 to 196 February in view of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
The Centre used its special powers under the Telegraph Act of 1885 to suspend internet services in these areas of Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had raised the issue regarding the suspension of internet services at select areas during the 15 February meeting between three union ministers and farmer leaders in Chandigarh.
The Haryana government has suspended mobile internet services and bulk SMS in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation to put pressure on the Centre over their demands, including a law on minimum support price for crops and loan waivers.
Farmers from Punjab began their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Tuesday but were stopped by security personnel at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana.
The protesting farmers have been camping at the border points ever since. (PTI)