Past
Regional shutdown
Hingalganj, West Bengal
On Monday, 12 February 2024, authorities in the West Bengal region extended ongoing orders to suspend Internet services in Sandeshkhali to the neighboring Hingalganj district. According to reports, the orders were extended so that 'tension does not spread to other areas.'
Internet services in Sandeshkhali have been suspended since 10 February 2024 as part of Section 144 orders to quell violence following two days of protests revolting against local leaders.
On Tuesday, 13 February, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court reportedly quashed the orders imposing restrictions under Section 144, saying such prohibitory orders should only be put in place in areas identified as “troubled zone”.
Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
- Total Duration 0 hours
India
- Population
- 1,438,069,596
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
On Monday, 12 February 2024, authorities in the West Bengal region extended ongoing orders to suspend Internet services in Sandeshkhali to the neighboring Hingalganj district. According to reports, the orders were extended so that 'tension does not spread to other areas.'
Internet services in Sandeshkhali have been suspended since 10 February 2024 as part of Section 144 orders to quell violence following two days of protests revolting against local leaders.
On Tuesday, 13 February, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court reportedly quashed the orders imposing restrictions under Section 144, saying such prohibitory orders should only be put in place in areas identified as “troubled zone”.
Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
Other supporting information
It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level.
Social media
Escalating protests by local women in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, demand Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan's arrest, leading to an internet blackout extension to neighboring Hingalganj. Effective hashtags:#SandeshkhaliProtests #WomensRights #InternetBan #India pic.twitter.com/Ur8vZqfLic — The Workers Rights (@theworkersright) February 12, 2024