CM merely appeasing public in the name of "development plan" not fair : TMNL
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, October 16 2023:
While welcoming Chief Minister N Biren Singh's upcoming visit to Ukhrul, the Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL) Youth Council has pointed out his failure to address public grievances with regard to the mobile internet ban.
Speaking to the media at TMNL Office at Viewland, Ukhrul, Themaso Tallanao, president TMNL stated that the indefinite shutdown of mobile internet is a violation of the people's right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India and Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
He asserted that the public can no longer be appeased by the Chief Minister's mere "development plans" when their economic, social and political rights continue to be devalued.
"The public cannot be made to pay the price for the failure of the State Government", he maintained.
Further highlighting the unfairness of the mobile internet ban, he pointed out that the citizens of hill districts, especially Ukhrul have remained patient with the State Government to resolve the ongoing conflict and lift the internet ban.
However, the prolonged mobile internet ban has shown the State Government's "deliberate deprivation of basic rights" in the non-conflicting hill regions while the "conflicting areas" continue to have access to unlimited broadband connection such as Jio, Airtel, BSNL etc, he said.
He further informed that the entirety of Ukhrul's general populace is dependent on only 220 broadband connections.
This digital inaccessibility and disparity has caused grievous concern to all, said the TMNL president.
It may be noted that TMNL had earlier submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh via Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul Zuringla Kengoo drawing his immediate attention for restoration mobile internet in the district and revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from hill districts of Manipur.
However, their appeals continue to fall on deaf ears, he said.
The public rally proposed by TMNL in Ukhrul town today in this connection was also cancelled in the greater interest of the public, said Themaso.
The president has asserted that TMNL will be compelled to resort to different forms of democratic agitation if the State Government does not address the internet ban.