In a bid to preempt unrest ahead of a farmers’ march to Delhi, the Haryana government on Saturday suspended mobile internet, bulk SMS, and dongle services in 12 villages of Ambala district. The blackout, aimed at maintaining “public peace,” will remain in effect from 6 am on December 14 to 11:59 pm on December 17, as per an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Sumita Misra.
The affected villages include Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur, and Kakru.
The decision follows a call by farmers’ unions for a “Delhi Kooch” (march to Delhi) to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and renewed dialogue with the Central government to resolve their grievances. A group of 101 farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, is set to resume its march from the Shambhu border on Saturday afternoon.
Misra’s order cited intelligence inputs warning of potential tensions, property damage, and disruptions to public peace due to the misuse of mobile internet and social media platforms to spread inflammatory material and mobilise crowds.
Previous Measures
The Haryana government had earlier suspended mobile internet services from December 6 to 9 in the region. Saturday’s order further tightens these restrictions, exempting essential services such as individual SMS, banking, mobile recharges, and internet via broadband and leased lines to minimise inconvenience to residents and businesses.
Heavy Security Deployment
A significant contingent of security personnel has been stationed on the Haryana side of the Punjab-Haryana border to prevent farmers from advancing toward Delhi
The farmers, camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, remain steadfast in their demands. This renewed agitation highlights their frustration with the government’s inaction and its handling of the long-standing MSP issue.
As internet shutdowns become an increasingly frequent tactic to counter public protests, the move has drawn criticism for curbing free speech and disrupting communication channels, sparking a wider debate about the balance between maintaining order and upholding democratic rights.
