Govt extends mobile internet ban
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 13 2023: Citing recurring violence in different parts of the state, the suspension of mobile internet/data services, and Internet/data services through VPN has been extended for another five days till 7.45 pm of November 18, 2023, as a precautionary measure for ensuring smooth administration.

According to an order issued by Home Commissioner T Ranjit on Monday, the decision follows reports of exchange of firing between two communities at fringe areas of Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kangpokpi, etc.

In the order, the home commissioner stated that however, the state government had already opened a few mobile towers in a few district headquarters of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Noney, and Chandel (predominantly inhabited by the Nagas) which have not been affected by the violence on trial basis and as per direction of the High Court of Manipur's order.

The state government is considering opening and operationalising some more mobile towers in the other district headquarters on a trial basis if the law and order situation stabilises, the home commissioner stated.

Notably, the restriction on the internet started on May 3, 2023, except for two days on September 23 and 24 .

The commissioner further informed that the partial imposition of an internet ban has been extended as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the public interest against the apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech, and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions, an official notification mentioned.

It further highlighted incidents of public protests, such as total shutdowns/bandhs demanding information about two missing youths and the abduction of four individuals by unidentified armed criminals.

Expressing concern, the commissioner stated, "There is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for the transmission of images, hate speech, and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public, which might have serious repercussions for the law-and-order situation in Manipur".

The initial ban on mobile internet across the entire state was imposed 195 days ago following ethnic violence that erupted on May 3 .

Since then, the ban has been periodically extended after every five days.

Although the internet ban was lifted on September 23, it was reinstated on September 26 after clashes between security forces and hundreds of students ensued, sparked by the circulation of images of the bodies of two missing students on social media.

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