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Mobile internet services suspended in eastern Meghalaya over ‘serious law and order situation’
The affected districts are East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills.
Concerned about the “serious law and order situation”, Meghalaya government suspended mobile internet services in six districts of the state, three days after it was resumed.
Based on a report by the state’s director general of police (DGP) SB Singh, home commissioner and secretary S Kharlyngdoh issued a notification suspending mobile internet for 48 hours beginning 3pm on Saturday.
The affected districts are East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills.
Following a clash between two groups on May 31 in Shillong, curfew had been imposed for several days and mobile and internet services suspended in many parts of the state till June 13.
Though the situation improved and the services were resumed, the state government feels the situation on the ground continues to be ‘serious’.
As per the DGP’s report, “a serious law and order situation continues to prevail in Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi district, having potential threat to public safety”.
The government feels social media platforms could be used to “inflame passions and thus exacerbate the law and order situation”, and hence it necessitates suspension of mobile internet services till Monday afternoon.
The May 31 clash, which started over a parking dispute between local drivers and residents of Punjabi Lane area in Shillong, turned into a major crisis after rumours spread on social media that a minor had been killed.
