Patel quota stir: After 7 days, mobile internet services set to resume in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR/SURAT: A high-level review meeting between the home department and top police officials on Monday recommended lifting the week-long ban on mobile internet services in the state.
However, Ahmedabad police commissioner Shivanand Jha said late on Monday, "Ban on internet in Ahmedabad will continue for another day. This is a precautionary measure. On Tuesday we shall review the situation." Jha added that he has asked the crime branch to register FIRs against rumour mongers who had used social media platforms to fan violence in the city on August 25.
READ ALSO: Despite normalcy, internet ban continues in Vadodara
Internet services resumed in Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Botad and Morbi districts.Surat collector Dr Rajendra Kumar told TOI that the decision of resuming the services will be taken on Tuesday.
However, they were tentative on allowing access to Facebook, WhatsApp, Youtube and Twitter, especially in some sensitive districts till September 2 midnight. Another meeting with chief minister Anandiben Patel was held in the evening to take a final call.
Confirming that the ban has been lifted, chief secretary Ganga Ram Aloria said, "Concerned city police commissioners and district collectors have been asked to review the situation and decide upon social media services."
READ ALSO: Suspended mobile internet services cripples businesses in Gujarat
Sources said that the government may give a compensation of up to Rs 7 lakh for death and proportionate amount for those injured during the violence. Ten persons lost their lives during the riots. Senior police officials said there is an apprehension that unauthenticated and inflammatory videos of violence could be shared widely on social networking sites and instant messaging services that could again disrupt the law and order situation.
"It has come to our notice that some footages of Vadodara communal violence are being circulated as Ahmedabad violence videos," said deputy commissioner of police, crime, Deepan Bhadran. The blanket ban on internet services has badly affected individuals and businesses. The operations of banks, e-commerce firms, cab services, travel and hospitality sectors were severely affected. Banks in the state have suffered losses of over Rs 7,000 crore while telecom firms have lost nearly Rs 30 crore till August 31. The online buying for the festive season has taken a massive hit.
READ ALSO: Patel quota stir: Gujarat limps back to normalcy; curfew lifted