Shutting down internet to quell public protest
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: August 08, 2022 -

IN the backdrop of the arrest of five leaders of All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) on the charge of conspiring to impose economic blockade along the national highways in the hill districts of Manipur in pursuance of their demand for tabling and passing of the Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill 2021 in the just concluded state assembly session, there has been definitely 'rising communal tension' in this multi-plural state.

But after a vehicle was reportedly set ablaze by some anti-social elements, who are trying to incite public anger by transmitting hate speeches on social media, at a place in Bishnupur district on Saturday night, the government of Manipur has suspended internet services for five days across the state.

This is not the first time that the government of Manipur has shut down internet services, more particularly, the mobile data services, to curb the rising communal tension in the state, where every community or group of people has their own agenda to push forward.

As a matter of fact, shutting down internet services as an administrative or law-and-order measure has been a common step taken across India.

Governments say misinformation and rumours can lead to deterioration in law and order in an area, and so curbing the flow of information helps in maintaining peace among communities in times of crisis.

However, the moot point here is, will this temporary measure of shutting down the interest service help in solving the problem?

In fact, many experts have opined that such temporary measures could work otherwise.

They said that in the absence of 'authentic' information sources, misinformation and rumours could actually end up spreading even more - faster and wider, thus, nullifying the every effort and intention to curb misinformation or rumours.

Moreover, disruption of internet services at this age of computer and information technology leads to losses at multiple levels as all important services including those related to business transaction, payment, banking, educational access, etc., all have to remain suspended along with the internet shut down.

Shutting down internet service is also against the Constitutional rights of the people.

Way back in January 2020, the Supreme Court of India had ruled that "freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to practice any profession or carry on any trade, business or occupation over the medium of Internet enjoys constitutional protection under Article 19 (1) (a) and Article 19 (1) (g)".

So, what is essential for dealing with the present situation in the state is not a temporary measure like shutting down the internet service, but to find a permanent solution to the problem at hand by bringing everyone on board for a thorough discussion of the issue.

The proponent as well as the opponent of the HAC recommended ADC Bill need to make their respective stand clear on the matter instead of making the common people, who are trying to pick up the threads of life after being exposed to one of the worst pandemics in the history of human civilisation, to suffer at this juncture.

This is also the time for the people-centric government and all the elected leaders to show their sagacious statesmanship and not of one-upmanship.