New Delhi/Leh: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday ordered the suspension of mobile internet services in Leh district of Ladakh Union Territory until October 3, citing public safety and security concerns.
According to the official order, issued under the Telecommunication Act, 2023 and the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, mobile data services of 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and public Wi-Fi facilities will remain suspended from 6:00 pm on September 29 until 6:00 pm on October 3, 2025.
The directive, signed by Bimlesh Kumar Jha, Under Secretary in the MHA, was issued with the approval of the Joint Secretary (Cyber & Information Security). The order noted that due to “unavoidable circumstances,” it was “necessary and expedient” to impose the suspension “in the interest of defence and security of the State, public order and for preventing incitement to the commission of offences.”
The MHA stated that the Union Home Secretary, being satisfied of the situation, directed the temporary ban without prior approval from the Competent Authority, as it was deemed infeasible to seek approval in the emergency.
The order has been communicated to Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Chief Secretary of Ladakh, for compliance.
The suspension comes against the backdrop of recent unrest in Leh, where violent clashes left four dead and dozens injured. Authorities have also imposed curfew restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).
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