Manipur: Manipur government extends suspension of Internet services till June 10

The Manipur government on Monday extended the suspension of Internet services until June 10 to avert the spread of rumors and videos, photos, and messages, which might affect the law and order situation in the ethnic-violence hit northeastern state.

Commissioner, Home, H. Gyan Prakash, in a fresh notification extending the suspension of Internet services until June 10, 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 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 the 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.

Various organisations, including the Congress have been demanding immediate restoration of Internet service in Manipur.

Chongtham Victor Singh, an advocate with the Manipur High Court last week filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the mechanical and repeated shutdown of the Internet in Manipur.