The curfew imposed in several areas of Nagpur has been lifted or relaxed, three days after violent clashes rocked the city, said the officials on Thursday, March 20.

The unrest erupted on Monday night when mobs went on a rampage following rumours that a ‘chadar’ (cloth) with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The protests were demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

In response to the violence, curfews were imposed in multiple police station areas, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar, and Kapil Nagar.

On Thursday, Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal ordered the lifting of the curfew in Nandanvan and Kapil Nagar areas starting at 2 p.m. Additionally, the curfew was relaxed in Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, and Imambada from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to allow residents to purchase essential items.

Meanwhile, the cybercrime police have taken action against individuals accused of spreading misinformation and inciting violence during the unrest. Officials confirmed that six people have been booked on charges of sedition and spreading false information on social media. These individuals are among 50 accused named in four First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in connection with Monday’s violence.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Lohit Matani stated that the cybercrime department has requested information from social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, regarding 230 profiles suspected of spreading misinformation. The department has also sought to block these accounts to prevent further escalation of tensions.

The partial lifting of the curfew marks a step toward normalcy in Nagpur, but authorities remain vigilant to ensure peace and order in the city. Investigations into the violence and the role of social media in fueling the unrest are ongoing.

In a significant move towards self-reliance in defence, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the acquisition of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) worth nearly Rs 7,000 crore. This marks a major milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to strengthening its armed forces with domestically developed technology.

Game-changer for Indian artillery

The ATAGS is the first indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured 155 mm artillery gun system. It boasts a 52-calibre barrel, capable of achieving an extended firing range of up to 40 km. With its superior firepower, the ATAGS enhances lethality while reducing crew fatigue through automated deployment and target engagement.

This acquisition will significantly bolster the Indian Army’s operational preparedness, particularly along the western and northern borders, by replacing outdated 105 mm and 130 mm artillery guns. The move aligns with India’s vision of modernising its military infrastructure and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

‘Make in India’ success story

Developed through collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian private industry partners, the ATAGS exemplifies the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Over 65% of its components, including key subsystems such as the barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism, firing and recoil system, and ammunition handling mechanism, are sourced domestically.

A crucial aspect of the ATAGS is its minimal reliance on foreign technology. Subsystems like the Navigation System, Muzzle Velocity Radar, and sensors are all designed and manufactured in India, further enhancing self-sufficiency in defence production.

Boosting employment and defence exports

The manufacturing of ATAGS is expected to generate approximately 20 lakh man-days of employment across various industries. Additionally, this development positions India as a strong contender in the global defence export market, paving the way for future indigenous defence exports.

By ensuring a robust supply chain for spare parts and seamless life cycle maintenance, the ATAGS acquisition not only strengthens India’s defence industry but also contributes to long-term strategic independence in military technology.

The Indian government has issued a firm response after social media giant X, formerly known as Twitter, filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the Centre’s alleged misuse of Information Technology laws. Sources in the government emphasized that due process would be followed and that social media platforms must comply with the law.

X cites Supreme Court precedent in petition

X’s legal move is based on the Supreme Court’s 2015 verdict in the Shreya Singhal case, which struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, for criminalizing offensive messages. The petition argues that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been issuing blocking orders under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, bypassing the safeguards established under Section 69A.

Section 79(3)(b) states that an IT intermediary loses its immunity if it fails to remove content flagged by a government agency as unlawful. However, X claims this provision is being misused to create an “unlawful blocking regime” without following proper legal safeguards.

Government’s alleged circumvention of Section 69A

According to X, the government is attempting to bypass the procedural safeguards outlined in Section 69A, which empowers authorities to block public access to content under specific conditions. The company argues that Section 79 merely provides immunity to intermediaries from liability and does not authorize direct blocking orders.

“A full 23 years after Section 79 was enacted, and 14 years after the current version took effect, respondents are now attempting to misuse Section 79 to create an unlawful blocking regime,” X’s petition states.

Centre’s alleged violation of due process

X contends that the government and its agencies have lawful avenues to block content in emergencies through the designated officer under Section 69A. The petition highlights that blocking requests must go through proper channels, including nodal officers, before being forwarded for action.

X also asserts that the Centre’s actions threaten its business model, which relies on users sharing lawful content. The company argues that these alleged unlawful blocking orders harm its operations, violate Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, and impact its revenue.

Legal battle ahead

As the Karnataka High Court takes up the case, this legal battle could set a precedent for how digital platforms navigate India’s regulatory framework. While X has challenged the government’s actions, authorities maintain that they are acting within legal parameters.