OLA cab drivers are also facing problems as they haven't received a single cab booking since Friday evening when the protest broke out. (Photo: Reuters)

As the mobile internet services remained suspended in Lucknow with the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) turning violent on Thursday last week, people living in the state capital are facing a lot of inconvenience.

The internet-based business has been badly affected by the shutdown and citizens are hoping that the situation will be normal soon. The internet services in parts of Uttar Pradesh including Lucknow is likely to remain suspended on Tuesday as well.

Uttam Kumar, the owner of Open Air Restaurant in Lucknow, is tensed as the internet shutdown has badly affected his business. The sale has come down drastically as he is majorly dependant on the online orders for the sale.

While speaking to India Today, Uttam Kumar said, "This is the first time we are witnessing such a situation in Lucknow when internet services have been temporarily suspended. The mobile internet was snapped on Friday and since then we are not getting orders from Zomato, Swiggy and Uber Eats. I haven't seen any delivery boy on the road because of the internet suspension. They are suffering the most as the food delivery platforms pay them on the basis of order deliveries they do every day."

"We have two branches in Lucknow and since Friday we are facing a loss of Rs 35,000 every day. There is no demand for food because people are unable to book online orders. The food prepared by us is lying unsold in the kitchen," said Jeevan, a chef in the restaurant.

However, at the famous Bati Chokha restaurant in Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow, manager of the restaurant said that his sale has not been affected at all because most people come and dine at the restaurant. People sitting in the restaurant also gave mixed reactions to the temporary shutdown of internet services.

Bablu Yadav, manager of Bati Chokha restaurant, said, "Our sale is not affected due to the suspension of mobile internet. Most of our customers prefer coming to restaurants instead of ordering food online."

Another businessman, Dhananjay Tripathi, said that he is personally facing a lot of inconvenience as he is unable to make online transactions. "Digital India has been undermined due to internet suspension. Internet and social media have become a necessity. I am unable to book cab, order food and use my debit/credit cards," said one Saurabh Pandey.

College students are also facing problems because of protest and internet shutdown. A student Nausheen Khan said, "Our college is shut and exams have been postponed. Access to the internet is very important because it helps us in studies as well."

Supporting the CAA, a native of the city said that the Act is in the national interest. He said, "I am personally not facing any inconvenience. Social media is misused to mobilise mob by miscreants and this is why the internet has been snapped as a precautionary measure."

A mobile shop owner claimed that his business has come down since the mobile internet services have been temporarily snapped. "Since the suspension of internet services, I haven't sold a single mobile phone because people generally prefer payments through debit/credit cards but the swipe machine is also not working. We cannot sell sim cards and recharge phone numbers till internet is restored," said Santosh Pandey, owner of a mobile shop in Gomti Nagar's Patrakarpuram area.

"Since Friday evening, I haven't received a single cab booking. We rely on daily bookings to earn our livelihood. I am incurring a loss of nearly Rs 2,500 every day," said Shailendra Jaiswal, an OLA cab driver.

Swipe machines are also not working in many fuel stations in Lucknow and people have to pay cash to get fuel. Meanwhile, after violent protests in many districts of the state including the state capital Lucknow, there have been no clashes since yesterday. However, there is heavy security deployment in all sensitive areas of the state to deal with any situation.

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