Farmers protest: Haryana extends mobile internet suspension in seven districts

The Haryana government has further extended the suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS in seven districts in the wake of the ongoing farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation. According to Kashmir Media Service, mobile internet and bulk SMS were first suspended in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa on February 11 and the suspension was extended on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 21. In the order issued on Friday, Additional Chief Secretary T V S N Prasad said, “After assessment of the current prevailing law and order situation in the state, the conditions are still critical and tense in the district Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa.” The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation to put pressure on the government to accept their demands, including a law on minimum support price (MSP) for crops and a farm loan waiver. Protesting farmers from Punjab taking part in the march have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points of the state’s border with Haryana since February 13, when their march was stopped by security personnel.—INP