CM warns against misuse of social media platforms
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 23 2025: Expressing deep concern over excessive misuse of social media platforms like youtube, X (formerly twitter), facebook and instagram in the state, chief minister N Biren Singh cautioned social media influencers and administrators of social media pages to take utmost care and not to misuse social media unnecessarily.

Addressing media persons at the lawn of CM secretariat Thursday, N Biren rued upsurge in the use of social media platforms in uncivilised, uncouth and harmful manner and termed it as very unfortunate.

He warned social media influencers and administrators of social media pages including youtubers against victimising and stigmatising anyone by tarnishing their character or to incite communal hatred.

Being sons and daughters of the land, government has been tolerating misuse of social media platforms but the recent upsurge in misinformation campaign on social media merits crackdown, he said adding that one must be fully aware of his/her actions and its consequences on others.

The chief minister also warned of initiating legal actions against those misusing social media platforms while informing media persons that a special police team will be constituted to look into such cases.

He continued that the police intelligence wing has been instructed to issue a formal notification to check the activity of youtubers, social media influencers, facebook, page admins, X (formerly twitter) and create awareness against misusing social media platforms.

No one, no matter how influential or strong, is authorised to be moral police of the society and take the law into their hands, the chief minister said and further warned against the use of social media platforms to admonish others or to incite communal flare ups.

He also strongly rebuked those using fake names or identity to create animosity/flare-ups among communities, inciting anti-national feelings among the youth.

Acknowledging the presence of numerous civil society organisations in the state, the chief minister hinted that no organisation or association has the authority to arrest, pick up, assault, admonish someone or brandish weapons.

Strongly warning those who intimidate government officials and make monetary demands or grab contracts for developmental works, the chief minister reminded all concerned that there is a government and laws of the land.

Nowadays everyone seems to be acting like the authority questioning anyone they like and uploading such videos on social media.

The government will not tolerate anyone taking the law in their own hands and inciting communal flare ups, character assassination or inferring in personal affairs through outrageous social media posts, he affirmed.

"No one has the right to disturb society, individuals and any family by spreading hate speeches, false and fictitious information through the social media," Biren said, adding that the government would not tolerate any irresponsible statements and views on social media.

"Interrogation of certain women (by unauthorized people) on personal matters was uploaded on social media.

These incidents are extremely awkward, disturbing and uncivilized, " he said, adding that he has informed the police and intelligence agencies on such issues and soon a formal notice will be published to summon all social media page holders and admins of groups who engage in such practices.

The CM said, "So many organisations have emerged.

Setting up organisations is alright as democracy allows that.

But who has authorised these groups to apprehend and assault people?" .

Anything that can affect the society should be immediately stopped, he said adding that special police teams will be set up, he said.

"Those involved in looting residences of elected representatives or torching them have been arrested.

Some of them are now in prison while some of them may be charged under NSA (National Security Act) .

Their lives will be difficult; as their records will be with the police and those with FIRs won't be able to enter government services," he said.

"Office employees have been summoned (by them) for extortion.

Who has authorised them? They are threatening the officials of abduction if their demands are not met.

This should be stopped," the chief minister said.

Government is for the people and will continue to stand to protect and preserve the integrity and identity of Manipur, he asserted and appealed people to support and cooperate with the government in its stand.

He said, on Wednesday, the state cabinet meeting was held in the tribal inhabited Tamenglong district, and with the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, various projects worth around Rs 300 crore have been announced.

"The state's Tamenglong district was once the most backward district and now one of the most developed districts in the country," the Chief Minister claimed.

Biren Singh, who holds the Home portfolio, said that as part of the government's "war against drugs", Manipur Police along with paramilitary and other security forces have regularly been destroying illegal poppy cultivation, mostly in the hilly areas.

While claiming that situation in the state has improved to some extent, the chief minister said missions like the Go to Hills, Go to Village, Meeyamgi Numit have resumed and these programmes will help in regaining trust of the people to the government.

Later, the chief minister distributed Track Suits to journalist fraternity of the state holding DIPR cards and further urged media fraternity to continue taking constructive role they have been taking so that the state may return to the days of peace and development.

The event was also attended by ministers, MLAs, commissioner and director (IPR) and media fraternity among others.

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