No internet for 8 days in these districts of West Bengal. Details here

The decision has been taken as a preventive measure to avoid unlawful activities during the state board exams in West Bengal.

Internet services will be suspended in seven districts of Bengal for seven days between March 7 and March 16 as a preventive measure to avoid unlawful activities, the state announced on Thursday. The districts in which the internet will be suspended are Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum, and Darjeeling.

Internet services will be shut in Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum, and Darjeeling districts. (Picture for representation) (HT_PRINT)

In a statement, the additional chief secretary (Home and Hill Affairs) said, "The restriction will be imposed in a few blocks under the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Birbhum and Darjeeling on March 7 to 9, March 11 and 12 and on March 15 and 16 from 11:00 am to 3:15 pm."

Internet services will not be suspended on March 10, when counting for Assembly elections in UP, Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand will take place.

The decision has been taken to prevent mass cheating in the upcoming state board exams.

“The government has received intelligence reports that unlawful activities can be carried in certain areas over internet transmissions and voice over internet telephony and hence restrictions are being imposed on the use of the internet,” the state said.

No restrictions have been imposed on voice calls or the sending of SMS.