Indian states block internet access ahead of guru’s conviction – CNET

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Supporters of guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh battle Indian security forces Friday in the lead up to Singh’s rape conviction. 

Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images

Fifty million people in India lost access to the internet for five days after the conviction of a cult leader plunged the northern states of Punjab and Haryana into a state of emergency.

Local government cut off mobile internet and text messaging services on Thursday, Aug. 24, ahead of a verdict in the trial of cult leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on rape charges, NDTV reports. Service was restored Tuesday morning.

Singh, who heads the Dera Sacha Sauda religious group, was found guilty on Friday of raping two women from his group in 2002. Violence quickly followed as Singh’s devotees protested the verdict, leaving 38 dead. The group claims to have more than 70 million followers globally.

The government took the measure of shutting off mobile internet service to “prevent any disturbance of peace and public order,” according to a statement from the Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana that was obtained by the Times of India. The order affected over 50 million people. Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday.