Agnipath scheme row: Haryana govt suspends mobile internet, SMS services for next 24 hours

Chandigarh: After suspending mobile internet services in Palwal district for 24 hours on Thursday, the Haryana government on Friday suspended the same in the Mahendergarh district till Saturday evening in the view of the raging protest against the Agnipath scheme.

Stating that the suspension of mobile internet services would continue in Palwal district and Ballabgarh sub-division of the Faridabad district till further orders, an official spokesperson said that the decision to suspend the same in Mahendergarh district was taken in view of the potential law and order situation created on account of the protest against the said scheme.

The Haryana government ordered the suspension of all SMS services and dongle services provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of district Mahendragarh for next 24 hours with immediate effect from June 4.30 pm on 17, 2022, for next 24 hours.

An official spokesperson said that the step was taken in the wake of a likelihood of causing tension and obstruction or danger to human life and property by the protesters and antisocial elements on account of Agnipath scheme, the new Army Recruitment Policy.

The spokesperson said that the temporary suspension has been imposed to stop the spread of disinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc on mobile phones.

PUNJAB CM SEEKS ROLLBACK

Meanwhile, condemning the decision of NDA government to implement the ‘Agnipath’ scheme in the Indian Army as a retrogressive step, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday asked the Union government to immediately roll back its decision in the larger interest of the country and its youth.

After agriculture, it is a serious attack on the youths which is unwarranted and undesirable. It is a huge loss for Punjabi youth who are ever ready to serve their motherland by joining the Army, Mann said.

Mann said that it reflected the sorry state of affairs in the country as the party in power is recklessly running the country without bothering about its youth. He alleged that this mindless decision has put the country on a boil as the youth of the country have come on roads to protest against this irresponsible move of the center.

Published on: Saturday, June 18, 2022, 12:35 AM IST