IMPHAL: The Supreme Court of India recently made a crucial decision regarding the restoration of internet services in the state of Manipur. A bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, declined to interfere with the Manipur High Court's earlier order, which directed the state government to restore limited internet access in the region.
The case arose when the Manipur Government challenged the Manipur High Court's order that allowed the partial reinstatement of internet connectivity in the state. The High Court's directive came with the condition that certain safeguards, recommended by an Expert Committee, were complied with by all stakeholders involved.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, expressed concerns about the potential consequences of lifting the internet ban completely. He highlighted the risk of rumors spreading and inflaming the situation in Manipur, urging the court to consider the implications of leaving the decision on internet restoration to those on the ground.
On July 7, the Manipur High Court's order was issued, instructing the State government to lift the internet ban on Internet Lease Line (ILL) and Fiber To The Home (FTTH) connections, provided that all stakeholders followed the prescribed safeguards. Additionally, the High Court directed the government to consider restoring Fiber To The Home (FTTH) connections on a case-by-case basis, contingent upon compliance with the expert committee's recommendations.
However, the Supreme Court's bench, while upholding the High Court's decision, granted the State of Manipur the liberty to approach the High Court again if they encountered difficulties in implementing the order. This allowance was intended to enable the state authorities to apprise the court of any challenges or complexities they might face during the process of restoring limited internet access.
The matter of internet restoration in Manipur has been a sensitive issue due to the region's unique circumstances and security concerns. Balancing the need for communication and access to information with maintaining law and order remains a delicate task for the authorities.
With the Supreme Court's latest ruling, the responsibility now lies with the Manipur government to ensure that internet connectivity is reinstated cautiously, adhering to the recommended safeguards. This approach seeks to strike a balance between granting limited internet access to the public while mitigating the risks associated with unrestricted connectivity.
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