Imphal, Oct 11 : Manipur government has extended ban on mobile internet services for another five days till Oct 16.
After eruption of violence in Manipur on May 3 at Churachandpur, the Manipur government had banned internet services.
Broadband services were restored and mobile internet services were provided to the Governor, Governor’s Secretariat, Ministers, MLAs, army, security personnel, police and government officials by issuing different orders. Internet restriction continued on media and common people.
Home Commissioner, T. Ranjit Singh said in an order issued on Wednesday that the Director General of Police, Manipur reported that there are still reports of incidents of violence like confrontation of the public with security forces, trying to mob elected member’s residences, civil protests in front of police stations 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 of Manipur, it added.
There is an imminent danger of loss of life and /or damage to public/private property, and wide spread disturbances to public tranquillity 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 services.
To thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain peace and communal harmony and to prevent any loss of life or danger to public/private property, it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours, it said.
The disinformation and rumours were being circulated through various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. on various electronic equipments like tablet, computer, mobile phone etc. and sending bulk SMS, for facilitating and/or mobilization of mobs of agitators and demonstrators, which can cause loss of life and/or damage to public/private property by indulging in arson/vandalism and other types of violent activities the order stated.
The situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order, hence it was decided to order suspension/curbing of mobile Internet/data services, internet/data services through VPN in Manipur for another five days.
