The Tripura Government has prohibited SMS and mobile internet services across the State for next 48 hours following reports that rumours are being mongered about presence of some child lifters, which has created panic in some parts of the State.
The Tripura state Home department on Thursday issued the notification on Thursday and said that the order was issued to all the service providers of mobile and internet companies operating in the state. “The order was issued to prevent the misuse of the media like this to disturb the peace and tranquility of the entire state and for maintaining law and order situation,” said Tripura Additional Secretary Saradindu Choudhuri.
It may be mentioned here that there has been reports of incidents of attacks on people found in isolated locations by the public suspecting them to be child lifters.
The incidents like this have also generated serious law and order situation in the state having potential threat to public safety.
TheGovernment suspects that social media like facebook, twitter and youtube and messaging systems like SMS and whatsapp are likely to be used for transmission of fake information like picture, images, videos and texts have the potential to incite violence in the state.
The notification further said that the prohibition shall be applicable to press messages also and that violation of this promulgamation will be punishable under section 188 IPC and also under the relevant provision of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885.