The Punjab government extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till noon on Tuesday even as the manhunt for Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh continued for the third day.
State authorities on Saturday suspended internet and SMS services in the state till Sunday noon. Curbs were later extended until noon Monday.
According to the latest order of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice on Monday, “It is ordered that all mobile internet services (2G/3G/45/5G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (except banking and mobile phone recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks , except voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab will be further suspended from March 20 (12:00 noon) to March 21 (12:00 noon) in the interest of public safety.
"This step has been taken to prevent any incitement to violence and prevent any disturbance of peace and public order," the order said.
Broadband services are not suspended so as not to disrupt banking facilities, hospital services and other essential services, said an order issued by the Home Ministry's Additional Chief Secretary.