Social Media Platforms Banned In Bihar’s Saran District Until Feb 8

Bihar government on Monday (February 6) issued orders to temporarily ban access to 23 social media platforms in Saran district until February 8. 

The state government said that the orders were issued in the interest of the general public and to ‘maintain peace and tranquillity’ in the district. 

Among the social media platforms that have been banned temporarily include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Reddit, among others. Other messaging apps that featured in the list included banned Chinese apps such as WeChat and Baidu as well as now-defunct Google+.

The state government noted that the violation of the order would invite stern actions under the law. 

“As per available inputs…, it is reasonably apprehended that some anti-social element in Saran District may use internet medium to transmit objectionable content in order to spread rumour and disaffection amongst public at large with a view to incite them to commit various offences against communal harmony and cause damage to life and property and disturb peace and tranquillity,” the order stated. 

The order was issued by additional chief secretary of Bihar Home Department Chaitanya Prasad under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. 

The order will, however, not be applicable for internet and intranet-based services for government agencies. 

The orders were issued after a mob set fire to the house and the poultry farm of a village headman in Manjhi area of Bihar’s Saran district.

After three youths barged into the house of the headman, the latter is said to have allegedly attacked them back. In the ensuing fracas, the headman allegedly killed one person and injured two others. Afterwards, tensions erupted in the area and the police were called in to cool tempers. Eventually, authorities imposed a ban on access to social media to reportedly clamp down on alleged fake news spreading in the area.