Imphal, Aug 7: Mobile data services have been suspended for five days in Manipur in an urgent order passed by the state government on Saturday night after report by the Superintendent of Police of Bishnupur district that a vehicle was set ablaze by 3-4 men at Phougakchao Ikhang on Saturday evening. The crime has created communal tension, the order said.
According to the order, some anti-social elements are using social media to transmit hate speeches inciting the passions of the public.
This comes at a time when the state since last few days is witnessing protests, bandhs and indifinite economic blockades on its highways called by All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM).
The powerful tribal students body of Manipur has been demanding that the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 be tabled in the Assembly. The bills, drafted last year, looks at giving more autonomy to the tribal areas of the state.
The state government has introduced, in the on going assembly session, the Manipur (Hill areas) District Council 6th and 7th amendment bills on Tuesday, which the protesters claimed was not in line with their demands.
Tension has been brewing in the state after imposition of indefinite economic blockade along the national highways of the landlocked state since Friday morning.
The five arrested leaders of the ATSUM who were arrested few days back were remanded to 15-day judicial custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, on Saturday.
The development comes even as massive protests erupted in different parts of Manipur demanding unconditional release of the five ATSUM arrested leaders.
The imposition of the indefinite economic blockade prompted a valley-based organisation Meitei Leepun to lock the Imphal office of ATSUM on Friday afternoon.
Meitei Leepun claimed that the blockade targets the valley area of the state.
On Saturday, the All College Tribal Students’ Union Imphal failed to demonstrate in Imphal as they were dispersed by Manipur Police with tear gas shells, and as many as 30 protesters and three police personnel sustained injuries in the ensuing confrontation.
