Manipur Govt Issues Show Cause Notice to Airtel Over Providing Mobile Internet Services

IMPHAL: The Manipur government has taken action against a private telecom company for providing mobile internet services in certain areas of Churachandpur and adjoining Bishnupur district on September 20, despite the ongoing suspension of mobile data services. This move has raised concerns about the potential dissemination of inflammatory and provocative content on social media platforms, which could lead to communal tensions, hatred, and rumours.

T Ranjit Singh, the Commissioner (Home) of Manipur, addressed a letter to Ashish Bansal, Chief Technical Officer of Airtel in Imphal, on Thursday, expressing serious concerns about this lapse on the part of the service provider. Given the sensitive and volatile law and order situation in the state, the government views this incident as a violation of its orders.

The letter from the Commissioner (Home) demands that Airtel provide a written explanation for these lapses by Friday. Additionally, the government has requested information regarding the responsible officers behind this act and an explanation as to why appropriate legal action should not be taken against Airtel for violating government orders.

This action by the Manipur government underscores its commitment to maintaining law and order and preventing the spread of potentially harmful content during a period of tension in the state.

In other news, A special court in Manipur has granted bail to five village defence volunteers who were arrested by the police for the possession of weapons. Their arrests had led to public agitation for their release.

The five individuals were released on bail after providing a PR bond of Rs 50,000 and agreeing to certain conditions. According to the court's order, these conditions include their cooperation with the ongoing investigation, their availability to the investigating authorities, and a commitment to not influence prosecution witnesses. The court has also imposed a restriction on leaving the state of Manipur without its prior permission.

The court's decision to grant bail was accompanied by a rejection of the remand prayer submitted by the Manipur police for judicial custody. The court stated that the accused individuals had not engaged in any prejudicial activities against the state up to the point of their arrest.

In response to the arrests, hundreds of women defied curfew restrictions and gathered in front of the Cheirap court premises in Imphal West district, where the hearing took place. They were demanding the immediate release of the five youths.

The state of Manipur recently experienced widespread clashes between security forces and protesters when demonstrators attempted to storm police stations as part of a "court arrest agitation." This protest was initiated due to the government's failure to release the five youths who had been arrested on September 16 for possessing weapons and wearing camouflage uniforms.

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