Internet Shutdowns

Internet services in Jainoor village in Telangana state were suspended for 24 hours amidst tension following a strike (bandh) on 5 September 2024. According to reports, the district administration issued prohibitory orders under 144 CrPC and 163 BNSS, along with a ban on the Internet as a precautionary measure to avoid the spread of rumours and fake news.

Suspending Internet services during times of conflict restricts legitimate information and communication and limits freedom of speech and expression.

[Update 28 September]

A report notes that people in Jainoor, Sirpur (U), Lingapur and Kerameri are still experiencing facing problems due to the continuous suspension of Internet services. Asifabad DSP A Karunakar said that the Internet services would resume in two or three days.

Beneficiaries of social security pensions are unable to get the monthly financial aid. They are forced to borrow money from money lenders to meet day-to-day expenses. People cannot make transactions through digital platforms to buy groceries. Customers of banks are experiencing inconvenience in withdrawing cash from ATM kiosks. Students are struggling to attend online classes conducted by educational institutions for entrance tests. Aspirants of government jobs are missing coaching by experts of coaching centres in Hyderabad. Employees of private companies are left with no option but to visit neighbouring towns in search of internet service to discharge duties.

“People from all sections of the society are facing a slew of problems following suspension of internet services. We are submitting representations to officials concerned. However, the services have not been resumed. It seems life is thrown out of the gear,” Pendur Mothiram from Sakada in Kerameri mandal told Telangana Today.

Meanwhile, groceries stores, outlets of apparels, vegetables, meat and common service centres of various banks are registering losses due to dip in sales and services caused by the suspension of the internet facility. The owners of commercial establishments regretted that they were ending up paying rent for rooms, but not making profits.

VIA Telangana Today

Jainoor people are very upset that neighbours did not do enough for helping lift the mindless curfew..
This has led to migration, now dozens of families who can afford has moved out.
Daily wagers are the worst hit as markets are forcibly closed..
Internet shut since Sep 2, 2024.

— i am@farooq hussain (@farooq_hussain) October 17, 2024

No official cause document for the shutdown has been published.