India: Tripura govt enforces 24-hour mobile internet ban in Dhalai after tribal youth's death

The Dhalai district of Tripura, India has implemented a 24-hour mobile internet service ban to curb rumours following the death of a tribal youthin Gandatwisa, some 112 kilometres from the capital city, on Friday (July 12), creating tensions between several communities.

In a notification,home secretary pf the Indian state PK Chakrabortysaid, “.....it has been reported by the District Magistrate & Collector, Dhalai District that on 12th July 2024, a kind of serious mob violence took place in Gandacharra Sub Division where burning of shops was reported and till today the situation is yet to return to normal."

"Whereas, messaging systems like SMS and WhatsApp and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are likely to be used for the transmission of fake information like pictures, images, videos and text that have the potential to incite violence in that case at a larger rate...,” the statement added.

Chakraborty, in the notification, said, “The state promulgated the notification under the provision of Section 52 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to prohibit SMS messages of all mobile service providers, mobile internet or data service of all mobile service providers from midnight of 12/07/2024 to till the next day of 13/07/2024 of 12.00 PM (midnight) throughout the Dhalai District.”

Dhalai district magistrate Saju Waheed addressed the matter, saying that the deceased youth Parameshwar Reang, suffered injuries during an altercation that happened five days earlier at a local fair in Gandatwisa. He died on Friday at Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) hospital.

After three shops and a few homes were destroyed, police officers were dispatched to the area to bring the situation under control. Later, the Dhalai Police asked people to refrain from posting or expressing any communal sentiments over the matter.

“An untoward incident has occurred which resulted in the death of one person.The incident is being used by some anti-social elements to stoke hatred and commit offences such as arson and looting, it is to inform all citizens of Tripura that all senior officers along with sufficient security forces are camping and patrolling in Gandatwisa and the situation is under control," Dhalai police wrote on X.

"In this regard, prohibitory orders U/S -163 BNSS have been issued by SDM Gandatwisa, prohibiting assembly of more than five people in and around the Gonda Twisa subdivision. Kindly refrain from posting, sharing, or expressing any communal sentiments as it will amount to an offence under the BNS and IT Act, any deviation will be strictly dealt with,” the post added.

Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the founder of TIPRA Motha, the alliance partner of the ruling BJP in Tripura, appealed to everyone to maintain peace and said the government would take stern action on Reang's death.

(With inputs from agencies)