Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, criticized the state government on Saturday over the suspension of internet services in parts of Birbhum district, calling it “evidence of deterioration” in the law and order situation.
On social media platform X, Adhikari claimed the move reflected the administration’s “incapability” to manage the situation. He added that incidents of unrest were not limited to Birbhum but had also occurred in Tamluk, Nandakumar, and other regions across the state.
“This restriction on Internet services is not only an evidence of deterioration of the Law & Order Situation in the State, but also an acceptance of incapability on the part of the Administration to control the situation. Not only Birbhum, skirmishes took place in Tamluk, Nandakumar and various other places across West Bengal,” he posted on X.
Adhikari further accused the West Bengal government of attempting to suppress reports of communal tensions. He called on the Home Ministry, the Bengal Governor, and the Chief Secretary to step in and assess the law and order situation.
“The West Bengal Government are trying their best to hide the events of communal flare-ups to save their face. I urge @HMOIndia and His Excellency, the Hon’ble @BengalGovernor, to seek a report from the Chief Secretary (@chief_west) of WB regarding the deterioration of the law and order situation in the state,” he added.
According to officials, internet and voice-over-internet telephony services were suspended on Friday in five Gram Panchayat areas of Sainthia town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. The decision aimed to curb the spread of rumours and unlawful activities.
The suspension order, issued by the Principal Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, took effect from March 14 (Friday) and will continue until March 17 (Monday). The order cited concerns over the potential spread of “rumours for unlawful activities” as the reason for the shutdown.