India, Oct. 3 -- MEERUT Uttar Pradesh authorities on Thursday suspended Internet services across four districts in the Bareilly division of the state for 48 hours as security personnel took over the streets and drones monitored the skies amid ongoing tension over the "I love Muhammad" poster row and in light of Friday prayers and Dussehra festivities.

According to a notification issued by the state home department, mobile internet, broadband and SMS services will remain suspended in Bareilly from 3 pm on October 2 to 3 pm on October 4.

Home secretary Gaurav Dayal said the order, issued under section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, aime...