IMPHAL: As the sporadic incidents of violence continued in Manipur, the government extended the suspension of Internet services until June 5 to prevent the spread of rumours, videos, photos, and messages that might affect the law and order situation in the ethnically violent northeastern state.Commissioner, Home, H. Gyan Prakash, in a fresh notification extending the suspension of Internet services till June 5, said that the Director General of Police, Manipur, reported that there are still reports of incidents like arson of houses and premises.”There is an apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for the 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,” the order said.After widespread violence broke out on May 3 in 11 of the 16 districts during and after the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur to oppose the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category, the Manipur government suspended the Internet to control the situation.When shortages of various essentials, transport fuel, and life-saving drugs and disturbances in banking and ATM facilities shattered normal life, the Internet suspension for around a month across the mountainous state further added to the problems of the people.The media, students, and business communities are facing lots of problems in the absence of Internet services.Various organisations, including the government, have been demanding the immediate restoration of Internet service in Manipur. (IANS)
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