Amid the calls to open mobile internet by various organisations including All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM), the state government has stated that it will open mobile towers on trial basis in those district headquarters which had not been affected by violence due to the current law and order crisis in the state.
The ANSAM had called for relaxing the ban on mobile internet in Naga dominated areas, as there were no incidents of violence in the said areas.
The students body had imposed an economic blockade on the state’s traditional lifelines of Imphal-Dimapur road and Imphal-Jiribam road and the state government had committed to the same in writing a few days back.
The relaxation on mobile internet, if found feasible, shall be replicated to other areas where the law and order situation have improved, an order by T Ranjit Singh, Commissioner (Home), GoM stated in a release.
However, the ban on mobile internet has been extended for another three days, i.e., till 7.45 pm of Wednesday (November 8).
The order issued by the Commissioner (Home) stated that there are high chances 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 have serious repercussions for the law-and-order situation in Manipur; and also elements of imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public/private property, and wide spread disturbances to might public tranquillity and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours, which be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle services specially in the context of the recent incidents of violence in some parts of the state.
Stating further that the above situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful coexistence and maintenance of public order, the government has ordered the suspension/curbing of mobile internet/data services, internet/data services through VPN in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur for another three days with immediate effect till 7.45 pm of Wednesday (November 8) as preventive measure in public.
In the meanwhile, the state government will go for opening of mobile towers on trial basis in those district headquarters which had not been affected by violence due to the current law and order crisis in the state and the same, if found feasible, shall be replicated to other areas where the law-and-order situation have improved, the Commissioner (Home) stated.
It further stated that any person found guilty for violation of aforesaid orders will be liable for legal action.
