Haryana suspends mobile internet services in Sirsa

Tension prevails in Sirsa as the sanitisation is being conducted in the backdrop of August 25-Panchkula violence and conviction of dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile internet services in Sirsa district “considering the critical situation” shortly after the search operations began at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa, amid tight security and curfew.

The search operation is underway under the “instruction, supervision and monitoring” of court commissioner Anil Kumar Singh Panwar. (HT Photo)

Tension prevails in Sirsa as the sanitisation is being conducted in the backdrop of August 25-Panchkula violence and conviction of dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in two rape cases and the court sending the self-styled godman to jail for 20 years.

The search operation is underway under the “instruction, supervision and monitoring” of court commissioner Anil Kumar Singh Panwar (former district and sessions judge, Haryana), appointed by the Punjab and Haryana high court.

The mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/CDMA/GPRS), SMS services and dongle internet, “except voice calls” will remain suspended in the district till September 10. This was stated in an order issued by Geeta Bharti, special secretary (home). “This order is being issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order and shall remain in force till 10.09.17 (23:59 hours),” says the suspension order.

The government said deputy commissioner Sirsa has also reported that suspending mobile internet services was imperative in order to stop panic among the public on account of search operation and to curb the spread of rumours in Sirsa district.