Twitter returns some account over farmers protest

Twitter has restored dozens of Indian accounts that were earlier blocked in response to a legal notice by the government, citing objections based on public order. The accounts were all linked to a continuing farmers’ protests against a series of agricultural reform laws.

They included farmers’ leaders, activists and a news magazine. The protests are now in their third month, with many farmers camped on the outskirts of the capital, Delhi.

Reports say government officials highlighted in their submission to Twitter about 250 accounts and tweets which they said constituted a threat to public security.

Two popular accounts associated with the protest, Kisan Ekta Morcha and Tractor2Twitr were withheld.

Twitter also blocked the accounts of Caravan, a news magazine, activist Hansraj Meena, actor Sushant Singh and other lawmakers

#TwitterCensorship was at the top of trends on the micro-blogging platform on Monday amid outrage over the accounts’ suspension as many criticised the platform for blocking key protesting voices.