Imphal: Manipur government on Tuesday extended suspension of internet services for another five days till June 25, 3 pm citing “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.”
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It is worth noting that the Manipur High Court on June 16 directed the State authorities to provide limited internet services to the public.
The Manipur High Court order was passed by Justices Ahanthem Bimol Singh and A Guneswar Sharma in as many as three Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and a Writ Petition (WP) seeking the restoration of internet services in Manipur. The order directed the government to provide limited internet service in designated places.
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The government’s order further added, “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, through various social media platform 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…”
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The order furthermore siad, “suspension/curbing of mobile data services, internet/data services including broadband viz. Reliance Jo Fiber, Airtel Xtreme Black, BSNL FTTH,VPN etc. and internet/data services through VSATs of Bharatnet Phase-II in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur except those who have already been specifically exempted by the Government and may be exempted subsequently and Internet Lease Line (ILL) on a case to basis as permitted by competent authority. All Mobile Service providers are hereby directed to ensure compliance of this order.”
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