New Delhi, Oct 9 (KNS): The Centre on Friday ordered the temporary suspension of mobile internet services within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing in New Delhi for 24 hours, beginning at 10 pm on October 9, as security arrangements were tightened ahead of protests planned by opposition parties and other organisations on Saturday.

According to a report by The Times of India (TOI), the restrictions will remain in force until 10 pm on October 10 as part of preventive measures undertaken by Delhi Police in view of demonstrations called by the Congress-led INDIA bloc and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

"Internet services will remain suspended within a 4-kilometer radius around the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing. Services will remain suspended from 10 PM on October 9 to 10 PM on October 10. Instructions have been issued to suspend all forms of mobile internet technology," the government notice said, as quoted by TOI.

The decision comes amid heightened security preparations in the national capital ahead of demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Senior Delhi Police officers also held a high-level meeting at police headquarters on Friday to review the prevailing law-and-order situation and assess security arrangements ahead of the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.

According to the TOI report, the meeting focused on preventive measures, crowd management and arrangements to maintain public order during the demonstrations.

Officers also examined observations made by the Supreme Court concerning restrictions on public transport services.

Meanwhile, the North Western Railway announced the cancellation of 13 Delhi-bound train services for Saturday, most of them originating from Haryana.

The Bikaner Division of North Western Railway cited operational reasons for the cancellations, although the decision comes ahead of the proposed protests in Delhi.

Delhi Police also proposed restrictions on entry and exit at 57 Metro stations across the national capital, along with reduced train frequency at the affected stations.

However, the Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the proposed restrictions, observing that preventive security measures should not cause disproportionate inconvenience to ordinary commuters.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana questioned the proposed closure of Metro stations, noting that millions of people, including students and employees, depended on public transport for their daily activities.

"We are concerned with closure of metro services," the Chief Justice-led bench observed while addressing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre.

Emphasising the principle of proportionality, the Chief Justice said security restrictions must be limited to what was necessary to prevent disturbances.

"One very important principle that we follow for every citizen is the principle of proportionality… You have to prevent certain things. Take measures only to the extent necessary to prevent them. But that does not mean you use a hammer to kill a fly. That principle must be kept in mind," CJI Kant observed, according to TOI.

The Solicitor General assured the bench that he would discuss the concerns with the authorities concerned.

Mehta, however, clarified that the Chief Justice's reference to using a hammer was illustrative and should not be interpreted as an accusation that the government was adopting such an approach.

The Chief Justice further observed that authorities were entitled to exercise abundant caution while maintaining law and order, but stressed that restrictions must remain proportionate to the situation.

"Exercise caution in abundance. There is nothing wrong with that," the CJI said.

The proposed protests have prompted extensive security preparations across the national capital, with authorities reviewing arrangements for public transport, traffic movement and crowd control.

The demonstrations are being organised amid growing opposition to the SIR exercise, with participating groups demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged electoral irregularities.

The government has maintained that the restrictions are preventive measures aimed at ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order during the planned demonstrations. (KNS)