IMPHAL: In response to reports of repeated incidents like house arson and the state government's efforts to stop the spread of rumours and hate speech via the use of various social media platforms, the Manipur government on Sunday extended the suspension of mobile data and internet services across the state for an additional five days.
According to the order from the Manipur Home Department, there is concern that some anti-social elements may use social media extensively to spread images, hate speech, and hate videos that inflame the public's emotions and could seriously affect the state's law and order situation.
Inflammatory content and false rumours that could be shared with the public via social media or messaging services on mobile phones, Short Message Service (SMS), and dongle services pose an immediate danger of loss of life or damage to public and private property, as well as widespread disturbances to the public tranquilly and communal harmony, according to the notice.
It also stated that appropriate action must be taken to uphold law and order in the public interest by halting the spread of misinformation and false rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in order to thwart the plans and activities of the anti-national and anti-social elements, to maintain peace and communal harmony, to prevent any loss of life, danger to the public or private property, and other related goals.
The ruling further stated that it would be in effect from the time the suspension order went into effect until 3:00 pm on May 26, 2023, and that it was being issued to prevent any public disturbances of peace within the jurisdiction of Manipur.
Since they started on May 3, 2023, ethnic conflicts have shaken the hill state, resulting in at least 73 deaths, 230 injuries, and thousands of displaced persons.
In the meantime, the challenges of upholding law and order in the state in the wake of the disturbance earlier this month were emphasised by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a speech on the eve of an event commemorating Anti-Terrorism Day at the Old Secretariat in Imphal on Sunday.
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