Shillong, Nov 22: Meghalaya Government has suspended internet facilities for 48 hours in Khasi and Jaintia Hills following the incident at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills where 5 people from Meghalaya were killed in Assam firing. One Assam Forest Guard was also killed.
The suspension started from 10:30 am on November 22, 2022, and will be in effect for 48 hours.
An official notification from Home (Police) Department on Tuesday read: “The notification said reports have been received from Police Headquarters, Meghalaya, Shillong that an untoward incident has occurred in Mukroh, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai, having a potential to disturb public peace and tranquillity, and cause a threat to public safety in West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri — Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills, which may likely breakdown law and order.”
It further said messaging system like WhatsApp and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube etc. are likely to be used for transmission of information through pictures, videos and text, having the potential to cause serious breakdown of law and order.
“Therefore, in order to prevent the misuse of the above mentioned media to disturb peace and tranquility in the State of Meghalaya and for maintaining law and order, I, C. V. D. Diengdoh, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Home (Police) Department do hereby promulgate this notification under the provision of Section 5 (ii) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, read with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 to prohibit the following types of media for the next 48 (Forty-Eight) hours beginning from 10:30 am on 22nd November 2022 in the 7 (seven) districts of Meghalaya namely, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri — Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills Districts. Mobile Internet / Data services of all mobile service providers. Violation of this promulgation will be punishable under section l88 IPC and also under the relevant provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885,” read the notification issued by C. V. D. Diengdoh, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Home (Police) Department.
