Crackdown against Amritpal Singh: Punjab extends suspension of mobile internet services till Monday noon

“Whereas, Director General of Police, Punjab has brought to my notice that certain sections of society are likely to threaten public order by incitement to violence as also resorting to widespread violence with an aim to stoke and cause communal tension, obstruction or injury to persons, danger to human life and property, disturbance of public peace and tranquillity thereby threatening public safety and public order in the State of Punjab,” read the order.

It added, “Whereas, Director General of Police, Punjab has further brought to my notice that these sections of society widely use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp etc and also Short Message Service (SMS) for spreading of inflammatory material and false rumours, to provoke mobilization of mobs of agitators and demonstrators, mobilize their own manpower and resources for their anti-national activities.”

“There is a clear continuation of potential of threat to public safety, disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in the state of Punjab on account of misuse of mobile internet services, SMS services and other dongle services.” It also flagged the “imminent need to curb the spread of misinformation and rumours through social media platforms” which could “provoke mobilisation of mobs of agitators”.