'Agnipath' protests leave Bihar in flames; internet suspended in 12 districts

New Delhi: As protests against the 'Agnipath' employment scheme intensified across Bihar, the local government has shut down internet services in 12 districts till June 19. There are also reports of internet shutdowns in Haryana.

The additional chief secretary, home department, of Bihar ordered internet shutdowns in Kaimur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxer, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Vaishali, and Saran stating that the medium is being used for spreading rumours at large to incite public and cause damage to life and property. ET has reviewed a copy of the order.

Exercising the powers under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services rules, the government has directed all internet service providers to prevent users from sharing messages or pictorial content through a list of social networking sites that includes Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram, Reddit, Snapchat, YouTube and others.


The order is also applicable for government internet and intranet-based services including banking and railways.

There are also reports of internet shutdowns in Faridabad district in Haryana. However, that is likely due to disruption in services due to heavy rains, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Emails to telcos confirming the shutdown did not elicit any response.

Protests erupted in several states since Wednesday against the Agnipath scheme to recruit 17-year olds as jawans into the army, navy, and air force for a four-year period, after which there will be compulsory retirement without gratuity and pension benefits.

Internet shutdowns have become a common practice when protest turns violent in an area. There have been 48 cases of internet shutdowns in 2022, and 100 in 2021, according to Software Freedom Law Centre, a legal service organisation which maintains a tracker of internet shutdowns in India.