TURA, June 12 - Internet and text messaging services, which had remained suspended in the Garo Hills since June 8, were restored this afternoon, much to the relief of the residents.
The twin services were stopped after activists of youth organisations and NGOs barged into the office of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) recently, demanding removal of an MDC from the Forest Advisory Committee. The administration immediately suspended Internet and SMS services in a bid to curb the possible spread of fake information which may jeopardise the law-and-order situation.
The services were suspended from 3 pm on June 8. The suspension period was again extended on June 10 for another 48 hours, leaving the region without Internet for 96 hours.
Meanwhile, the stoppage of the services did not go down well with the residents who felt the matter had been escalated beyond reasons, and that the restoration should have been effected much earlier.
�A clampdown of 24 hours should have been enough. Students were preparing for their examinations and they depended on the Internet for information. But they were affected by the discontinuation of the Internet service. We hope the administration will take care so that such developments do not recur,� said one resident.
