Internet services suspended in 12 districts of Bihar after Agnipath protests
India Today
Internet services have been suspended in 12 districts of Bihar for 48 hours after the statewide protests against the central government's Agnipath scheme.
The Bihar government on Friday suspended internet services in 12 districts till June 19 in the backdrop of the massive violence reported across the state over the Agnipath scheme issue.
According to an order issued by the home department, internet services have been suspended in Kaimur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxar, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Vaishali and Saran district.
The state government in its order said that there had been intelligence inputs that said miscreants in the 12 districts were using the internet to post content with anti-social elements. The government said these miscreants incite the public with rumours and cause damage to life and property and disturb the peace.
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The order said social networking sites and instant messaging services were being used in a detrimental manner to disturb the peace in the state. It said that under such circumstances, the officials decided to ban internet services in the 12 districts for the next 48 hours.
Massive violence has been reported across several districts of Bihar with agitating youths torching trains and vandalising public property in protest against the government’s defence recruitment scheme.
The state government's decision to suspend internet services also comes ahead of the Bihar bandh called by several student organisations which has been backed by political parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Hindustani Awam Morcha and (Vikassheel Insaan Party) VIP.
