Internet services to be suspended in Faridabad ahead of demolition drive

FARIDABAD: The Haryana government has temporarily suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in a designated area of Faridabad district ahead of a demolition drive scheduled for Saturday, citing concerns over public order.According to an order issued by the state's Home Affairs Department on 29 May, mobile internet services, including 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G, bulk SMS services and all dongle services were suspended within a one-kilometre radius of a location in the NIT Zone of Faridabad district from 12:30am to 10pm on 30 May.The order, signed by Additional Secretary Home Vandana Disodia, stated:"Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred upon me by virtue of Section 20 of The Telecommunications Act, 2023 to be read along with Rule (3) of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, 1, Additional Secretary Home-1, Haryana do hereby the order of suspension of the mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/5G), bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc.

provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the 1 kilometer radius of location (Latitude 28.39448 & Longitude 77.28622) of NIT Zone in district Faridabad. All telecom service providers of Haryana are hereby directed to ensure the compliance of this order."Authorities said the restrictions were imposed following requests from the Additional Director General of Police (CID), Haryana, and the Deputy Commissioner of Faridabad.

The order noted concerns that the demolition drive could trigger unrest."Whereas, it has been brought to my notice by ADGP/CID, Haryana and Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad vide their requests dated 29.05.2026 that during the demolition drive on 30.05.2026 in the area of NIT Zone, district Faridabad, there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public & private property and disturbance of public peace & tranquillity."The government said the suspension was intended to curb the spread of misinformation and rumours through social media and messaging platforms that could be used to mobilise crowds."In order to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., on mobile phones and SMS for facilitation and mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities."Officials clarified that voice calls would continue to function normally. Individual SMS messages, banking-related SMS alerts, mobile recharge messages, as well as broadband and leased-line internet services for homes and businesses, were exempted from the restrictions.The order stated."It is emphasised that this order is being issued after taking utmost care of public convenience by exempting individual SMS, mobile recharge, banking SMS, Voice calls, internet services provided by broadband and lease lines of corporate and domestic households, thus not affecting the commercial/financial interest of the State and basic domestic needs of individuals."The government described the move as a temporary and preventive measure limited to the notified area around the demolition site."This order is being passed to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order only in a 1-kilometre radius of the location of NIT Zone in the jurisdiction of the district Faridabad, shall remain in force w.e.f. 00:30 hrs to 22:00 hrs dated 30.05.2026. This order is also being passed ex parte in view of the emergent situation as explained in earlier paragraphs. Any person found guilty of violation of the aforesaid order will be liable for legal action under the relevant provisions of law.

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