The Assam government has warned its employees of initiating disciplinary action against those who have been “indulging and participating in political activities” on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram or other social media platforms.
The letter was issued by the office of the director of Elementary Education on December 24th, 2019. It stated that action will be taken if they violate the provisions of the Assam Service(Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1964.
The department of education has formed a monitoring cell to monitor the prohibited activities.
As the Rajya Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill on December 11th, 2019, massive protests broke out in the state. The streets of the state turned into a veritable battle zone littered with burnt tyres, logs, stones, rubber pellets and teargas shells as seething protesters descended on the streets opposing the Bill.
Violent protests broke out in several parts of the country after the citizenship law was passed. Four people were killed in police firing in Assam, while an oil tanker driver was charred to death when his vehicle was set on fire in Orang.
The internet services were snapped at 7 pm on December 11th, 2019 due to violence. Post the restoration of mobile internet data services on December 20th, 2019, the Assam police had urged people to be cautious while posting or sharing information on social media.
Photo Credit: Houston Chronicle (Representative Image)
