Agnipath protest: Bihar suspends Internet services in 20 districts

Patna, June 20, 2022

Keeping in view the call for Bharat Bandh against the Agnipath scheme on Monday, the Bihar government on Monday temporarily suspended the Internet services in 20 districts.

The suspension has been already in place in 12 districts since June 17 and the state government decided to add eight more.

"The suspension of the Internet services has given positive results and the violent incidents have reduced drastically in Bihar. The agitators and anti-social elements are not able to spread rumours in the state," an official in the Home Department claimed.

The Internet services have been suspended in Kaimur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxar, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Vaishali, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Darbhanga, Gaya, Madhubani, Jahanabad, Khagaria and Sheikhpura.

The telecom service providers have sent text messages to the consumers that the Internet services have been closed for Monday. However the consumers of these districts will continue to avail voice calling facility.

Meanwhile, the Bihar government has enhanced the security of BJP offices in 11 districts. The Bihar Police deployed Shasastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel at the offices of BJP to prevent any untoward incidents. The 11 districts are Supaul, Kishanganj, Purnea, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Nawgachiya, Banka, Katihar, Madhepura and Motihari. In every BJP office, one platoon comprising 30 personnel has been deployed.

Security has also been beefed up for the leaders of the BJP in Bihar. BJP leaders such as Sanjay Jaiswal, Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi, MLA C. N. Singh, MLA Aruna Devi, MLA Vinay Bihari and others were targeted during the protests against the Agnipath scheme on Thursday and Friday.

Following the attack on BJP leaders, the Centre has given Y-category security to 10 BJP leaders of Bihar.

IANS