Imphal, June 10: Manipur Government has extended the ban on internet services in the state by another 5 days, following a report by the state DGP that there are still reports of incidents of violence, assault and arson of houses and premises including exchange of fire.
The order issued by Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, T. Ranjit Singh, on Saturday said: “This order is issued to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of the State of Manipur and shall be in force for another 5 (five) days with immediate effect from the time this suspension order becomes operational till 3:00 P.M. of 15-06-2023.”
The suspension is for mobile data services, internet/data services including broadband viz. Reliance Jio Fiber, Airtel Xtreme Black, BSNL FTTH etc. and Internet/data services through VSATs of Bharatnet Phase-II.
The government is apprehensive that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the State.
Further, the order observed that there is an imminent danger of loss of life and /or damage to public/private property, and wide spread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours, which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle services.
In the order, Singh argued that it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours, through various social media platform such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. on various electronic equipments like tablet, computer, mobile phone etc. and sending bulk SMS, for facilitating and/or mobilization of mobs of agitators and demonstrators, which can cause loss of life and/or damage to public/private property by indulging in arson/vandalism and other types of violent activities.
“…having satisfied that the above situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order, do hereby order further suspension/curbing of mobile data services, internet/data services including broadband viz. Reliance Jio Fiber, Airtel Xtreme Black, BSNL FTTH etc. and Internet/data services through VSATs of Bharatnet Phase-II in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur except those who have already been specifically exempted by the Government and may be exempted subsequently and Internet Lease Line (ILL) on a case to case basis as permitted by competent authority. All Mobile Service providers are hereby directed to ensure compliance of this order,” the order read.
