The State government on Wednesday banned internet services in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts for five days, starting Wednesday. The move came amid intensifying protests across the State, condemning the police firing in Thoothukudi which left 12 anti-Sterlite protesters dead in the last two days.
In a letter to internet service providers in the State, Home Secretary Niranjan Mardi said provocative messages were being spread on social media, with anti-social elements trying to exploit the situation. “A public emergency has arisen, which necessitates immediate action and speedy remedy for the [sake of] public tranquillity, and it is felt necessary that internet services should be stopped/curtailed to prevent the spread of such information,” the letter read.