Birbhum- Internet and voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) services have been suspended in at least five Gram Panchayat areas of Sainthia town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district to prevent the spread of rumours and unlawful activities, officials said on Friday.
The shutdown is in effect from March 14 to March 17, following a prohibitory order issued by the Principal Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, citing concerns over potential misuse of internet services to incite unlawful activities. Police forces have been deployed in the affected areas after reports of a stone-pelting incident.
“Any data-related message or class of message to or from any person or class of persons, to or from any telecommunication equipment or class of telecommunication equipment, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication service or telecommunication network under the ambit of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, shall temporarily not be transmitted in the interest of maintaining public order and preventing incitement to the commission of any offence,” the order read.
The order clarified that no restrictions have been placed on voice calls or SMS, and newspapers remain unaffected, ensuring communication and dissemination of information are not entirely halted.
The restrictions apply to Sainthia town area, Hatora Gram Panchayat (GP), Mathpalsa GP, Harisara GP, Dariyapur GP, and Fulur GP under the jurisdiction of Sainthia police station. The suspension is set to remain in force until 8 AM on March 17.
Authorities stated the measures are temporary and aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation during a sensitive period in the region.
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