GUWAHATI: The Manipur government has banned internet services in the state for five days, starting Tuesday, September 10, amid concerns that some anti-social elements "might use social media for transmission of images, hate speech" which may further provoke violence in the state.
In the order, the Joint Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur said, “I hereby order temporary suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services including Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur for five days.”
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Earlier in the day, an indefinite curfew was imposed in the state capital Imphal and the surrounding valley after student-led protests on Monday, September 9, led to clashes with police.
The district administrations of both Imphal East and Imphal West issued curfew orders effective from 11 am on Tuesday citing “the developing law and order situation”.
The Imphal West administration has restricted “the movement of any person(s) outside their respective residences” until further orders, exempting essential services and the media.
Last week, at least 11 people were killed as clashes between the two communities erupted again after months of relative calm.
Protesters have been demanding action against insurgents accused of using "improvised" projectile weapons and drone attacks last week, in what police called a "significant escalation" of violence in the state.
"To thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain peace and communal harmony and to prevent any loss of life or danger to public/private property, it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours, through various social media platform such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc," said the government.
The government said it aims to stop "mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators, which can cause loss of life and/or damage to public/private property by indulging in arson/vandalism and other types of violent activities".
Manipur has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than a year between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, dividing the state into ethnic enclaves. Long-standing tensions between the communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs.
