Imphal, Nov 28 : The Manipur government on Tuesday extended the mobile internet ban for another five days till 7.45 P.M on December 3.
Since May 3 last, internet services were banned following a crisis which started at Churachandpur district on the same day.
Home Commissioner T Ranjit said in an order said that Manipur DGP submitted reports related to volatile law and order situation in the state like attacking and killing of each other communities, public mob at hospital, highway blockade, total shut down, confrontation between public and security forces etc.
There is 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 for the law and order situation in the state, the order said.
As there is an imminent danger of loss of life and /or damage to public/private property, and widespread disturbances to public tranquility and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours, which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle it was decided to order suspension/curbing of mobile internet/data services, internet/data services through VPN in Manipur for another five days.
The government had already opened a substantial number of mobile towers in few district headquarters like Ukhrul, Tamenglong which have not been affected by the violence on trial basis and as per direction of the High Court of Manipur, it stated.
The State Government is considering to open and operationalize some more mobile towers in the other district headquarters on trial basis, if law and order situation permits.