After nine days, internet ban revoked for West Garo Hills district, bringing relief to residents after a prolonged disruption that brought life to a near standstill and affected education, healthcare, banking and livelihoods, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee working president Deborah C Marak on Wednesday said sustained pressure from various quarters, including the Congress, led to the restoration of services, while terming the extended suspension as a serious hardship in a digitally dependent era.
She said, “Internet has been restored in Garo Hills… we have given pressure… Pressure was infact given from all quarters…where internet services was shutdown for more than a week,” adding, “People really suffer… this prolong disruption… has caused wide spread inconvenience.” Stressing the importance of connectivity, she said, “In this digital age, internet is not a luxury anymore but a necessity,” and noted that “daily wage earner and trader… are also facing financial losses due to disrupted payment system.”
Flagging the impact on key sectors, she said, “Today after nine days internet is working,” while adding, “The students we unable to access online classes… internet banning has put the education at risk.” She further said, “Health care facilities… emergency communication becomes very difficult… putting life at risk,” and “Banking services had been disrupted causing inconvenient to the public.” On the law and order situation, she said, “Law and order during elections… is very unfortunate,” and added, “to have a internet shutdown for 8-9 days it difficult.” Marak also said former Phulbari MLA S. G. Esmatur Mominin is not part of the Congress and that the party has denied him a ticket in the GHADC elections.
‘People Really Suffer’: Congress on 9-Day Internet Shutdown in Garo Hills
