Guwahati (Assam): "Internet is back" - this was a common status of many users on social media platforms as mobile data services were restored across Assam on Friday, ending a nearly 10-day internet blockade in the state.
From students to professionals, teenagers to adults, people heaved a sigh of relief, and many took to Facebook and Twitter to express their sentiments and opinions.
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Internet ‘Wap’si in Assam! Next is #CAA, take it back!
— Mirza Zulfi (@mirzalibra10) December 20, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Internet ‘Wap’si in Assam! Next is #CAA, take it back!
— Mirza Zulfi (@mirzalibra10) December 20, 2019Internet ‘Wap’si in Assam! Next is #CAA, take it back!
— Mirza Zulfi (@mirzalibra10) December 20, 2019
While most were just relieved to see the mobile internet connection back in their phones, many Twitter users also thanked the lawyers associated with the PILs that were filed in the Gauhati High Court challenging the suspension of internet services in the state.
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@AgarwalaAsha mom welcome back to Twitter, finally internet resumes in #Assam, thanks to the high court order
— Payal Agarwal (@payaltalk) December 20, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">@AgarwalaAsha mom welcome back to Twitter, finally internet resumes in #Assam, thanks to the high court order
— Payal Agarwal (@payaltalk) December 20, 2019@AgarwalaAsha mom welcome back to Twitter, finally internet resumes in #Assam, thanks to the high court order
— Payal Agarwal (@payaltalk) December 20, 2019
Internet services were suspended in Guwahati in Kamrup (Metro) and several other districts on December 11 evening to prevent misuse of social media in disturbing peace and tranquillity as well as to maintain law and order.
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Finally internet connection is back in assam after 9 long days !!!!! pic.twitter.com/fnfZNOJrdx
— Spandan_kashyap (@kashyap_spandan) December 20, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Finally internet connection is back in assam after 9 long days !!!!! pic.twitter.com/fnfZNOJrdx
— Spandan_kashyap (@kashyap_spandan) December 20, 2019Finally internet connection is back in assam after 9 long days !!!!! pic.twitter.com/fnfZNOJrdx
— Spandan_kashyap (@kashyap_spandan) December 20, 2019
The services were restored on Friday even as protests against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) continued in the state.
"After nine days, finally the government has resumed mobile Internet Services in Assam as per high court's order," wrote Nabajyoti Lahkar, a user on Twitter and signed off with 'Jai Ai Axom' - the rallying cry resonating with each major protest in the northeastern state.
Chinmoy Deka, a student of B Borooah College in Guwahati, was relieved to use his smartphone after nine days.
"The moment I turned on the internet on my phone, dings of Facebook and WhatsApp notifications on my phone kept making the jangling noise. I had several thousand notifications on WhatsApp. It just kept pouring in," he told reporters.
Deka, who opposed the CAA and had joined protests earlier, said that with the internet restored, many people also resorted to memes mocking leaders of the central and state governments who have been supporting the law.
"On WhatsApp and Facebook, many put up their status reading 'Internet is back', in English, Assamese or both. Some used sarcastic remarks to criticise the government over the internet services suspension," he said.
Several social media users also thanked the lawyers associated with the case heard by the Gauhati High Court after public interest litigations were filed to challenge the suspension of internet services.
Also read: No one can steal rights of sons of the soil of Assam: CM Sonowal
Many went on to demand compensation for the loss of mobile internet data.
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It's been 8 days since the closure of internet in assam. We still oppose CAA. And I want my 16 GB data back which I bought by using my own money. #opposeCAB @JioCare
— Himashri Boro (@HimashriBoro) December 20, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">It's been 8 days since the closure of internet in assam. We still oppose CAA. And I want my 16 GB data back which I bought by using my own money. #opposeCAB @JioCare
— Himashri Boro (@HimashriBoro) December 20, 2019It's been 8 days since the closure of internet in assam. We still oppose CAA. And I want my 16 GB data back which I bought by using my own money. #opposeCAB @JioCare
— Himashri Boro (@HimashriBoro) December 20, 2019
The Gauhati High Court had earlier directed the Assam government to restore mobile internet services at 5 pm on Thursday.
A division bench of Justices Manojit Bhuyan and Saumitra Saikia directed the restoration of internet services after hearing four PILs filed by journalist Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, advocates Bonoshri Gogoi, Randeep Sharma and Debakanta Doley.
While many took to social media to express their views on the anti-CAA agitation, Assam police asked people to be cautious in posting anything on such platforms.
"Mobile Internet services have been restored in the state. We request citizens to be cautious while posting or sharing unverified/provocative information on Social Media.
Also read: Anti-CAA protests burn India
"We are looking forward to your continued support in ensuring peace & harmony in the State," Assam Police tweeted.
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Mobile Internet services have been restored in the state.
— Assam Police (@assampolice) December 20, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
We request citizens to be cautious while posting or sharing unverified/provocative information on Social Media.
We are looking forward to your continued support in ensuring peace & harmony in the State.
">Mobile Internet services have been restored in the state.
— Assam Police (@assampolice) December 20, 2019
We request citizens to be cautious while posting or sharing unverified/provocative information on Social Media.
We are looking forward to your continued support in ensuring peace & harmony in the State.Mobile Internet services have been restored in the state.
— Assam Police (@assampolice) December 20, 2019
We request citizens to be cautious while posting or sharing unverified/provocative information on Social Media.
We are looking forward to your continued support in ensuring peace & harmony in the State.
