Mobile Internet services have been suspended in several districts of Punjab until noon today, state police said after launching an operation to arrest chief of suspected pro-Khalistan outfit Waris Punjab De, Amritpal Singh, and his aides. Section 144 has also been implemented.

“All mobile Internet services, all SMS services [except banking and mobile recharge] and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice call, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be suspended from March 18 to March 19 in the interest of public safety,” Punjab’s department of Home Affairs and Justice said. The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal’s supporters clashed with police personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal’s close aide, Lovepreet Toofan.