Mobile net ban extended till Nov 8
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 05 2023:
The government of Manipur has extended mobile internet ban in the state till November 8, officials said on Sunday.
The ban was extended following "apprehensions that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speeches and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state".
An order issued by Commissioner (Home) T Ranjit Singh, acknowledged the existence of "elements of imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public-private property...as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media...in the context of the recent incidents of violence in some parts of the state" .
Barring a few days in September, mobile internet has remained banned in Manipur since May 3 when ethnic clashes broke out, and the government has been extending the prohibition periodically.
However, the order, for the first time, said the state government, would "go for opening of mobile towers on trial basis in those district headquarters which had not been affected by violence".
"The same, if found feasible, shall be replicated to other areas where the law and order situation has improved," the government order said.
The ethnic strife in the state has affected ten districts.
Broadband services, which were also banned from May 4 for around two months, were made partially available since mid-July.