Net ban oppressive, complain residents

The West Bengal government reportedly plans to extend an internet ban in the restive Darjeeling hills till June 26 in a move to halt rumours from spreading through social media.

But people alleged that the proposed step will violate freedom of expression, a fundamental right.

Internet service providers were asked to suspend services till the midnight of June 20. Only phone voice calls remained active.

The latest plan to extend the ban till June 26 was not officially announced till Tuesday afternoon. But an executive with a private service provider said the telecoms were asked to stop services till next Monday.

According to district magistrate Joyoshi Dasgupta, internet services were suspended till Monday midnight but extended by another 24 hours. “It was necessary to stop spreading of rumours. People in the hills are generally emotional and sentimental. They could get carried away by rumours. So, the state government had to order suspension of internet services for some time,” she said.

The internet ban frustrated the strategy of GJM leaders and supporters, who were coordinating their protest through social media and apps like WhatsApp.

Critics of the ban called it a measure to silence dissent.

“Dissent is the essence of a vibrant democracy. If the government wants to stop rumours it should be done through the use of its own propaganda machinery,” said Asish Chhetri, an assistant professor of English at St Joseph’s College in Darjeeling.