Bhubaneswar: As part of the preventive measures to check spread of communal tension on Eid al-Fitr in Kendrapara Town, the Odisha Government today suspended internet services in the coastal district town for the next 48 hours.
The move came after false and inflammatory messages reportedly circulated on social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to disrupt communal harmony in the town.
The internet shutdown was forced under the provisions of section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with rule 2(1) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency/Public Safety) rules, 2017 to prohibit the use and access of the following types of internet and data services including WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media for the next 48 hours from 11.30 am on June 5 in Kendrapara town and adjoining areas, the Odisha Home Department said in a statement.