Manipur cuts internet in 5 districts: Mobile services shut; crackdown follows protest flare-up | India News

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NEW DELHI: The Manipur authorities has suspended internet and cell information services in 5 key districts for 5 days, citing a severe legislation and order scenario and the danger of social media being misused to unfold inflammatory content material. The order, issued late on 7 June by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N Ashok Kumar, impacts Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.The official directive said, “In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State of Manipur especially in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching & Bishnupur districts… there is 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.”The authorities cited an “imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public/private property” and the danger of “wide spread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony” as a result of circulation of false rumours and inflammatory materials on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and X (previously Twitter). The suspension, based on the order, covers internet and cell information services, together with VSAT and VPN, and took impact from 11:45 pm on 7 June. “The order is being passed ex-parte in view of the emergent situation,” it famous.The motion adopted protests on Saturday evening in Imphal East and Imphal West, the place demonstrators took to the streets after the arrest of a frontrunner of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol. Protesters reportedly blocked roads with burning tyres and furnishings in areas like Kwakeithel and Uripok, demanding the chief’s launch. In a video broadly circulated on-line, BJP MP Leishemba Sanajaoba appeared to confront safety personnel, urging them to arrest him alongside one other MLA if such arrests continued.The unrest coincided with an intensified safety crackdown. Police confirmed the arrest of three militants from banned teams together with the Kangleipak Communist Party (Peoples’ War Group) and the United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK). Weapons, IEDs and mortars had been additionally recovered throughout search operations in a number of districts.The state stays tense amid ongoing ethnic battle between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has claimed over 260 lives since May 2023. President’s rule was imposed in February this 12 months after chief minister N Biren Singh resigned.