UP Govt Halts Internet for 48 Hours in Bareilly Amid Dussehra Tensions and Leaders Claim House Arrest
The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday ordered Bareilly's internet services to be suspended for 48 hours. This is in order to preserve law and order during the Dussehra celebrations.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 2: Danish Ali and Imran Masood are leaders of the Uttar Pradesh Congress. They have claimed that they were put under "house arrest" en route to Bareilly. It is a protest site where security has been stepped up due to the "I Love Muhammad" controversy.
Since the September 26 violence, 81 persons have been arrested and additional police forces have been deployed across the city until October 4. The Bareilly administration has also issued an order to completely shut down internet services for the next 48 hours.
A High Alert for Bareilly
A high warning has been issued for the districts of Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Budaun by Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S. Chaudhary.
He said, "All district magistrates, deputy collectors, police and administrative officials must discharge their responsibilities seriously. Any lapse will invite stern action".
An official also added, "Armed police forces are being positioned at sensitive locations. We are ensuring foolproof arrangements so that the disturbances witnessed in Bareilly do not spill over to neighbouring districts".
Internet Suspended to Control Rumors and Unrest
The Bareilly administration has ordered a 48-hour complete suspension of internet services due to the current circumstances. There will be no mobile internet, data, or broadband services available throughout the city from 3 p.m. on October 2 to 3 p.m. on October 4.
Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal stated that the decision to suspend internet services was made in order to preserve peace and public order. This is because social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and others can be abused to spread rumors. It can also incite tension between communities.
The decision was issued in accordance with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules of 2017 and Section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885.
Congress Leaders Allege Forced House Arrest
According to reports, Imran Masood was also put under house arrest. This happened when he was traveling to Bareilly with his colleague Shahnawaz Khan.
Masood claimed that the police administration stopped him from leaving his home. It is despite the fact that his only intention was to go to Bareilly for a meeting and then return right away.
Danish Ali said on social media that the Uttar Pradesh government had placed him under house arrest on his way to Bareilly by force.
He posted, "Bareilly has been pushed towards violence as part of a conspiracy. I wanted to go to Bareilly today and stand with the people against this injustice, but UP Police has imprisoned me at home on the orders of the cowardly government," on social media platform X.
The police held flag marches in Bareilly in anticipation of Dussehra and Friday prayers. Five PAC commandants and fifteen inspectors from other districts have been stationed till October 4.
Violence Linked to ‘I Love Muhammad’ Controversy Spurs FIRs
After Friday prayers on September 26, more than 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque in the Kotwali area of Bareilly. It resulted in stone pelting and injuries to police officers.
The suspension of a planned rally due to Tauqeer Raza Khan's 'I Love Muhammad' poster controversy started the unrest. Ten FIRs have been filed by police against 180 named and 2,500 anonymous individuals so far. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also threatened to take tough measures against the rioters.
