Reliance moves Punjab HC against vandalisation of its telecom towers

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday against the vandalisation of its telecom towers in Punjab, seeking intervention of government for protection of its assets, reported ANI.

“Reliance Industries Limited, through its subsidiary Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, in a petition mentioned to be filed in Punjab and Haryana High Court today, has sought urgent intervention of government authorities to bring a complete stop to illegal acts of vandalism by miscreants,” the company said in a statement.

“These acts of violence have endangered lives of thousands of employees and caused damage and disruption to the vital communications infrastructure. The miscreants indulging in vandalism have been instigated and aided by vested interests and our business rivals,” it added.

As per a PTI report, as many as 1,411 Reliance Jio towers were vandalised in different areas of Punjab till December 27, due to the narrative that new farm laws by the Centre will benefit the multinational firm in certain ways. 

The attacks have impacted the telecom service as operators are struggling to maintain services in absence of action by law enforcement agencies.

Urging the farmers to not take the law in their hands by forcibly shutting down telecom connectivity or manhandling employees/technicians of telecom service providers, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said such actions were not in the interest of the state and its future. ‎

“Forceful disruption of telecom services due to snapping of power supply to mobile towers by farmers in several parts of the state was not only adversely affecting the studies and future prospects of students, who are dependent entirely on online education, but also hampering the daily life of people working from home due to the pandemic,” the statement reported by PTI had quoted the chief minister as saying.