Current Internet outage in Punjab

The current internet outage in Punjab has been going on for four days now, affecting millions of people and businesses across the state. The reason behind this unprecedented shutdown is a massive manhunt for a Sikh separatist leader named Amritpal Singh Sandhu, who is wanted by the authorities for allegedly inciting violence and disturbing communal harmony.

Who is Amritpal Singh Sandhu?

Amritpal Singh Sandhu, also known as Amritpal Singh Khalsa or Baba Amritpal Singh Khalsa, is a 30-year-old Sikh preacher and activist who advocates for a separate Sikh state called Khalistan. He is the founder and head of an organization called Dal Khalsa International (DKI), which claims to represent the interests of Sikhs worldwide.

Sandhu rose to prominence in February 2023, when he and his supporters stormed a police station in Punjab's Tarn Taran district to free one of his associates who was arrested for allegedly hoisting a Khalistan flag at a gurdwara (Sikh temple). The incident sparked clashes between Sandhu's followers and the police, resulting in several injuries and arrests.

Since then, Sandhu has been on the run from law enforcement agencies, who have accused him of sedition, waging war against India, promoting enmity between different groups, and other charges. The authorities have also declared him as a "designated terrorist" under India's anti-terror law.

How did the internet shutdown happen?

On March 18th 2023, Sandhu was spotted by some villagers in Punjab's Patiala district along with his convoy of vehicles. The villagers alerted the police, who launched a chase after him. However, Sandhu managed to evade them by driving through rural roads and fields.

During his escape attempt, Sandhu live-streamed his video on Facebook from inside his car, showing him being pursued by police vehicles. He also appealed to his supporters to join him and resist what he called an "unjust attack" on him by the Indian state.

His video went viral on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram among his followers and sympathizers across Punjab and abroad. Many of them responded by taking to the streets with swords and spears to protest against his arrest warrant and demand his release. Some also blocked roads and highways with burning tires and logs.

In order to prevent further mobilization of Sandhu's supporters and curb what they called "fake news" spreading online about him, the Punjab government ordered a complete suspension of mobile internet services (except voice calls) across all 22 districts of the state from noon on March 19th, 2023.

The government also banned all SMS services (except banking and mobile recharge) as well as all dongle services provided on mobile networks. The ban was initially imposed for 24 hours but was later extended till March 23rd noon.

What are the impacts of the internet shutdown?

The internet shutdown has affected nearly 27 million people living in Punjab, according to official data from India's telecom regulator TRAI. This makes it one of the largest internet blackouts ever imposed in India, a country that has frequently resorted to such measures in recent years, especially in conflict-ridden regions such as Kashmir and northeastern states. The shutdown has disrupted various aspects of life and work in Punjab, such as education, healthcare, banking, commerce, transportation, and communication. Many students have missed their online classes and exams due to a lack of internet access. Many patients have faced difficulties in booking appointments or consulting doctors online. Many businesses have suffered losses due to the inability to process payments or orders online. Many travelers have faced inconveniences due to the lack of online booking or ticketing facilities. Many journalists have faced challenges in reporting or accessing information online. Many citizens have faced problems in staying connected with their friends or family members online.