The Facebook and Instagram accounts of the protesting farmers were blocked on Sunday after a live broadcast, the agitators alleged.

But the accounts were restored after three hours following sharp reactions over online censorship, said media reports.

Managers of Kisan Ekta Morcha, one of the biggest pages being used for the farmers’ movement against the BJP-led government’s farming law, said their page was removed by Facebook which claimed it had gone against its community standards on spam.

Their page on Instagram, which is also owned by Facebook that is battling accusations of favouring the ruling BJP and the government to protect its business interests, faced similar action.

The Instagram page of Kisan Ekta Morcha was also allegedly not allowed to share new posts.

The curbs came just after a live broadcast by Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav, who is one of the leaders of the farmers’ protest, the demonstrating groups said.

In his live broadcast, Yogendra Yadav announced that the farmers would participate in an indefinite, relay hunger strike from Monday.

Yadav also appealed to the people to bang plates during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s next monthly radio broadcast Mann ki Baat to be aired on Sunday and ask PM Modi “when will you listen to our (the farmers’) baat”.

Thousands of farmers have been camping in Delhi’s borders for nearly four weeks demanding repeal of the NDA government’s three farm laws.

Several rounds of talks have failed to end the deadlock between the farmers and the central government.

Northeast Now is a multi-app based hyper-regional bilingual news portal. Mail us at: contact@nenow.in