Anti-CAA Protests: Voice, SMS, Data Services Suspended In Parts Of Delhi-NCR

Mobile internet was suspended in parts of Delhi- NCR on Thursday amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Internet, voice and messaging services by telecom service providers including Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio were suspended in parts of Delhi-NCR following instructions from the police.

In a tweet, which has now been deleted, Airtel said it is “complying with instructions received from govt authorities on suspending voice, SMS and data in certain areas in Delhi.”

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal said the company had complied with a government directive in this regard. "There is a government order and we are just following it," Mittal told reporters.

As per the order, services were suspended for locations including walled city areas of north and central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad, Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh and Bawana.

"In view of the prevailing law and order situation, it is hereby directed that communication of all types i.e. voice, SMS and internet, be halted from 0900 hours to 1300 hours in Cell IDs/BTS (base transceiver stations) covering the following areas for 19-12-2019," said the order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, New Delhi.

Amid protests over CAA, cores of protestors were detained by the Delhi Police near Red Fort when they tried to take out a march in defiance of the prohibitory orders imposed there to protest the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Protestors, which included activists and students, were dragged into buses in a bid to clear the area. Holding placards and shouting slogans, the protesters allowed themselves to be escorted to the buses.

Protests also resulted in huge traffic snarls across the national capital during the morning peak hours on Thursday, with the Delhi-Gurgaon route virtually chocked with vehicles.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation also closed entry and exit gates of 16 stations.