Internet shutdown in Assam extended for another 48 hours till Saturday evening

December 13: With the violent protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019, internet services were initially snapped in 10 districts of Assam on 11 December. However, since the afternoon of 12 December, mobile internet services was shut down in entire Assam. However, on 12 December evening, the shutdown was extended for another 48 hours. That means, as of now, mobile internet service will be unavailable till 6 PM on 14 December, 2019.

Additional Chief Secretary to Assam government in Home Department has stated that to prevent the misuse of and spread of rumors on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and YouTube, the decision of shutdown of mobile internet was taken by the government . Rumours are likely to spread on these platforms, and they may have the potential to inflame passions and worsen the law and order situation in the state, the bureaucrat said in the order.

The order, made under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules under the Telegraph Act 1885, has been copied to all four telcos – Vodafone-Idea, Airtel, Reliance Jio, and BSNL.