Mobile internet services were restored in Basirhat on Monday, about two weeks after they were withdrawn following communal tension in Baduria. “Situation is completely normal and Internet services have been resumed since Monday night”, said DM (North-24 Parganas) Antara Acharya.
Communities clashed in the district on July 2 after an “objectionable post” was posted on the Facebook. Internet services were suspended the next day and curfew under Section 144 CrPC was imposed in turbulent areas. “Initially it was suspended till July 10, but was restored only on July 17. Without Internet, life seems so tough these days. My daughter, who is in another country, usually keeps in touch through video calls. My area wasn’t really affected during the tension, but with no Internet, it felt like house arrest… A small mistake [on social media] can get so many people in trouble,” said Mohini Bhattacharya, a homemaker from Swarupnanagar.