UP: Amid Dussehra festivities, government suspends internet in Bareilly district for 48 hours

Internet services in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district have been suspended for 48 hours starting 3 pm on Thursday, amid the Hindu festival of Dussehra, PTI reported.

Mobile internet, broadband and SMS services will remain blocked till 3 pm on Saturday, according to a Home Department notification.

In addition to the internet shutdown, security has also been tightened across four districts in Bareilly division – Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit and Budaun.

This comes days after clashes broke out in the district on September 26, when a crowd carrying “I love Muhammad” posters clashed with police outside a mosque in the Kotwali area.

Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal was quoted as saying in the order that social media and messaging platforms could be misused to spread rumours and incite communal tension. The step was taken to maintain peace and public order, Dayal added.

To prevent any incidents of violence, Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S Chaudhary also ordered increased vigilance at Ramleela grounds, Durga Puja fairs and Raavan Dahan events, all of which attract large crowds during the festive season.

Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed in the region, and drones are being used for aerial surveillance, unidentified officials told PTI.

The unrest in Bareilly reportedly followed the last-minute cancellation of a protest called by local Muslim...

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