Gauhati HC Stays Assam Govt Order to Shut Down Mobile Internet on Aug 28 & Sept 11

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court on August 26 rejected the plea of a social worker and stayed the state government's decision to shut down Mobile Internet on August 28 and September 11 due to the Grade III & IV recuitment Exams.

Notably, a plea was filed in Gauhati HC challenging the decision of the Govt, which was rejected today.

Earlier, a Guwahati-based social worker has filed a writ petition in the Guwahati High Court to challenge the government order shutting down internet services in the state on August 21 and 28, purportedly to prevent cheating in exams.

The petitioner Raju Prasad Sarma has filed a writ petition in this regard with the assistance of an organization Internet Freedom Foundation which advocates net neutrality, free expression, privacy and innovation.

The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) on August 23 in a tweet asserted that it has assisted Sarma in filing the writ petition.

"IMPORTANT: We've assisted Mr Raju Prasad Sarma, a social worker from Kamrup, Assam in filing a writ petition in Guwahati HC to challenge the #internetshutdown ordered to take place in Assam on Aug 21 & 28. The shutdown is to prevent cheating in exams," IFF tweeted.

Meanhwhile the Assam government in an order stated- "In the interest of holding free, fair, and transparent recruitment exams, it is prudent and expedient to plug all possible loopholes including temporary disabling of mobile internet connectivity during examination hours on the days fixed for holding such written examinations."

The Assam government directive said that on August 28, mobile internet services would be suspended from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.

Notably, the first phase of the recruitment exam was held on August 21 and the next two phases would be held on August 28 and September 11.

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