Internet Suspended In West Bengal’s Sainthia Following Clashes Over Holi Celebrations

The internet services have been suspended till March 17 at Sainthia town in Birbhum district of West Bengal after clashes between two groups. According to news agency IANS, in the notification issued from the office of the Principal Secretary to the State Home & Hill Affairs Department, barring suspension of internet service at Sainthia, the mention of the clashes has been carefully avoided.

According to news agency IANS, the notification mentions that the internet has been suspended in view of the recent events in some areas. The ban on the internet transmissions and voiceover internet telephony was imposed on Friday.

The notification also clarifies that the ban has been imposed in apprehension that such services might be used for unlawful activities in the geographical area of the Sainthia town area and its adjacent areas. The state government, according to IANS, has clarified that the decision to ban the internet was taken based on the information regarding unlawful activities.

According to news agency IANS, although the administrative officials are tight-lipped on the reasons behind the internet services ban at Sainthia, local sources said the tension erupted following the clash between two groups over the celebration of the Holi festival, which is popularly known as Dolyatra in West Bengal. The clashes by night spread to some other packers in Sainthian and adjacent areas, prompting the administration to ban internet services.

According to the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, skirmishes also took place in Tamluk and Nandakumar in his native district of East Midnapore and various other places across West Bengal. He also accused the state government of trying its best to hide the events of communal flare-ups to save face. Adhikari also urged the Union Home Ministry to seek a report from the state chief secretary. The chief secretary must send an appropriate report to the Union Home Ministry and the Governor’s Office that chronicles the actual and honest events that are taking place across West Bengal for the last couple of days, Adhikari said.