Bhadrak: Prohibitory orders banning gatherings were imposed after a community’s protest over a Facebook post escalated into violent clashes.
The Odisha government suspended internet services in Bhadrak district for 48 hours till September 30, following violent communal clashes linked to social media postings, news agency ANI reported, citing the official order.
In the official order, the state’s additional chief secretary, Satyabrata Sahu, said the home department has extended the prohibition on the use and access of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and others via the internet and data services for 48 hours, until 2am on September 30, 2024, in Bhadrak district.
In the official order, the state’s additional chief secretary, Satyabrata Sahu, said the home department has extended the prohibition on the use and access of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and others via the internet and data services for 48 hours, until 2am on September 30, 2024, in Bhadrak district.
Prohibitory orders banning public gatherings in Bhadrak town were implemented after a protest by a community over a Facebook post related to their religious beliefs escalated into violence, injuring police personnel.
By Friday night, security was tightened in Bhadrak, with additional police deployed after some officers were injured during a stone-pelting incident. A video shared by news agency ANI showed several police personnel stationed in the area following the clashes.
#WATCH | Odisha | Security heightened in Bhadrak as some of the police personnel got injured in the stone pelting incident in the city. (27/09) pic.twitter.com/nwBQ8OkxVM
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2024
The internet suspension was enforced under the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, in conjunction with Rule 2(1) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency/ Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
The order detailed the banned services, saying: “1. Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media services of all Mobile service providers. 2. Mobile Internet/ data services of all Mobile Service Providers. 3. Internet/ data services of all Internet Service Providers (ISPs). 4. Broadband Dial up systems. 5. Any other such means or modes of transmission.”