Manipur Extends Mobile Internet Ban Till 5 November to Curb Spread of Offensive Content

Manipur Internet Ban: In an effort to stop the dissemination of offensive words, images, and videos by anti-social elements, the Manipur government on Tuesday decided to prolong the mobile internet ban for an additional five days, till November 5. After Chief Minister N Biren Singh recently said that the administration would think about lifting the restriction in the coming days, the state prolonged the mobile Internet ban twice in less than a week.

Extending Mobile Internet Ban in Manipur

In a notification released on Tuesday, the Home Department stated that the ban was prolonged due to "apprehensions that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate videos inciting the passions of the public, which might have serious repercussions on the law and order situation."

Manipur's Concerns Over CSO Forces

On October 30, the Director General of Police in Manipur stated that there are still reports of public demonstrations against the use of CSO forces, as well as public gatherings, meetings at different local clubs and block levels, and attempts to break into the homes of elected officials and CSO leaders. "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," read the notification issued by Home Commissioner, T Ranjit Singh.

The Menace of Inflammatory Material

The notification further stated that inflammatory material and false rumours, which may be disseminated to the public through social media, messaging services on mobile devices, SMS services, and dongle services, pose an immediate threat of death or serious injury to public or private property, as well as widespread disruptions to public tranquilly and communal harmony.

Countering Anti-National Elements

The notification said, "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, 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 and/or damage to public/private property by indulging in arson/vandalism and other types of violent activities."

Legal Authority for Internet Suspension

Notification added, "Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, having satisfied that the above situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co- existence and maintenance of public order, do hereby order suspension/curbing of mobile internet/data services, internet/data services through VPN in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur for another 5 days with immediate effect from the time this suspension order becomes operational till 7.45 pm of November 5, 2023."

Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.