Internet Services Suspended in Assam? State Home Department Answers Amid Tension in North East Over Citizenship Amendment Bill
With the violent protests against the controversial CAB 2019 gaining massive support among the people in the North-East, reports are arriving that there would 48-internet ban in Assam also, starting from midnight. However, the state department has quashed the reports.
Guwahati, December 10: With the violent protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 gaining massive support among the people in the North-East, social media was abuzz with reports that there would be 48-hour internet ban in Assam, starting from midnight on Wednesday. However, the state Home Department in Assam clarified that it has no plan to suspend internet services.
Though the reports of internet ban in Assam is not official, rumours in the social media over the curb of using social media, use of SMS and mobile data is prohibited. The report by AIR News Guwahati had reported, "No plan to suspend internet services, confirm Home department officials." Citizenship Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha Today: Will Shiv Sena, JD(U) Play Spoiler For BJP? Know The Number Game.
Here's the tweet:
Earlier, Chief Minister Biplab Deb-led state government in Tripura had imposed similar prohibition from 2 pm onwards in the state, citing violent protests and circulation of 'fake' messages on social media.
Here are some of the tweets circulating on social media:
There were several other allegations that various student organisations resorted to violence. Even reports of law and order situation going out of control made the headlines from Dibrugarh and Jorhat in Assam, where protesters opened fire. Due to this, exams were postponed, and shops remained closed.
A local daily in Assam had reported on Tuesday that All Assam Student Union, North East Student Organization and Left organizations announced bandh on Wednesday. The bandh has been supported by All Assam Student Union and North East Student Organization, 16 Left organizations. Even students groups in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram have supported the massive bandh.
Referring the CAB 2019 as biased, the protesters have been claiming that the new bill would endanger the identity of the people of the North East and endanger their social and cultural fabrication. The Union government is all set to move the CAB 2019 in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and have set seven hours for discussion on the bill.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 11, 2019 12:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).