Web of trouble continues in Jaipur

JAIPUR: The Internet shutdown following the abduction and rape of a seven-year-old girl in Shastri Nagar on Monday night is taking a toll on the people’s day-to-day lives. The residents are unable to hire app cabs, carry out online transactions and even order food online.
Since the case remains unsolved, the Internet clampdown has been extended indefinitely in 13 police station areas of the city.Jaipur police have justified the Net ban citing volatile situation and rumour mongering. But residents are not pleased.
“The Internet shutdown indicates law and order failure. I have not been able to book online train tickets or fill up a job examination form,” Anil Sinodia, a resident of Shastri Nagar area told TOI, adding that situation is improving on the ground and the police should lift the Internet curfew.
The city police had ordered Internet clampdown in 13 police station areas of the city. “Even in Jawahar Nagar, mobile Internet connection is not working. The ban should be lifted at least for a couple of hours every day so that people can pay their bills and complete their other online assignments,” said Abhimanyu Soni, a lawyer.
This is not the first time the police ordered a complete restriction on mobile Internet services. In fact, exactly a year ago Rajasthan police had blocked Internet for two days during the constable recruitment examinations to prevent cheating.
“The rumour mongering only proliferate when there is a lack of trust between citizens and the government. A more mature way to handle the problem would have been to fight misinformation by regular briefing by the officials on social media platforms,” Soni said.
In areas like Walled City, several tourists were left to fend for themselves as Internet shutdown ensured they couldn’t hire cabs. Many who were not aware of the ban were caught off guard. Sanchay, a resident of Tonk Road, said he had hired a cab from his home online, but as soon as he entered Manak Chowk area, the Internet connection went kaput from his phone.
“I restarted my phone multiple times but it was still showing no Internet connection. I finally had to take a bus from Manak Chowk to go back home,” he said.