Sat Mar 15 07:08:05 UTC 2025: ## West Bengal Suspends Internet in Birbhum to Curb Rumours
**Sainthia, West Bengal –** Internet and VoIP services have been suspended in five Gram Panchayat areas of Sainthia town, Birbhum district, West Bengal, from March 14th to 17th, to prevent the spread of rumours and unlawful activities, officials announced Friday. The order, issued by the state’s Home and Hill Affairs Department, cited concerns about potential incitement to violence.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, who termed it evidence of the state government’s failure to maintain law and order. Adhikari, in a social media post, alleged the shutdown was an admission of the administration’s inability to control the situation and claimed similar incidents occurred in other districts. He accused the government of attempting to hide communal flare-ups and urged federal intervention.
Police have deployed forces in the affected areas following reports of stone-pelting incidents in Birbhum. While the order temporarily suspends internet and VoIP, it explicitly states that SMS, voice calls, and newspapers remain unaffected. The affected areas include Sainthia, Hatora, Mathpalsa, Harisara, Dariyapur, and Fulur Gram Panchayats. The order is in effect until 8 a.m. on March 17th.
First Piper 