Punjab: Suspension of internet, SMS services continue till Tuesday noon

Mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services will remain suspended till Tuesday afternoon amid an ongoing crackdown against ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh, the Punjab government said.

“All mobile internet services, all SMS services (except banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services provided over mobile networks, except voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab on 21 March (12:00 p.m.) in the interest of public safety,” the Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Government of Punjab, informed in a statement on Monday. The statement of the Punjab government said that certain sections of society pose a threat to public order, and they widely use social media platforms to mobilize their “anti-national activities”.

“It has been brought to my attention that certain sections of the society are protesting at several places in the state and may endanger public order by inciting violence,” the statement said.

Mischievous elements also use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc., and SMS to spread inflammatory content and false rumours, instigate agitators and protesters, and mobilize their own manpower and resources for their anti-national activities.”

Notably, the suspension of internet and SMS services in Punjab was brought in on Saturday and again extended on Sunday in view of the situation. Earlier in the day, the Punjab Police informed us that Amritpal Singh’s uncle and driver have surrendered before the police.

SSP Jalandhar Swarnadeep Singh confirmed, “Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh’s uncle and driver surrendered before Punjab Police last night.” According to sources, both had surrendered in Mehatpur. They secretly reached the police station late at night. Both had come in a Mercedes, which has also been seized by the police.