BTRC asks mobile operators to block Northeast News

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has recently directed the mobile operators and International Internet Gateway operators to block Indian news site Northeast News.

In late September, the telecom regulator sent the directives through emails to immediately block the news portal, citing government decision, according to the BTRC's mail seen by The Daily Star.

Northeast News, which describes itself as a digital only news platform covering Northeast India 24×7, came to be known in Bangladesh after it published some articles on the country's politics.

The customers of Grameenphone, Robi Axiata and Banglalink failed to access the news site on Monday. However, some broadband users still can access it.

BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder told The Daily Star they block foreign news sites if they get any instructions to that end from the government.

The mobile operators declined to comment on the matter.