Imphal : The Manipur government has extended the suspension of mobile data internet services for five days till October 16 evening, , an official said on Wednesday.
The decision was taken after the state police informed the government that there are still reports of incidents of violence like confrontation of the public with security forces, trying to mob elected member’s residences, civil protests in front of police stations etc.
“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 in the State of Manipur,” Home Commissioner, T. Ranjit Singh stated in his order.
Singh said the suspension of mobile data internet services is to thwart the activities and designs of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain the peace and communal harmony and to prevent loss of life.
“It has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and rumours through various social media platforms,” Singh said.
Internet services were restored in Manipur on September 23, almost five months since its shutdown after the ethnic violence broke out on May 4.
However, the government re-imposed banned internet services on September 26 after student groups took to the streets protesting the killing of two students Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam (17) Phijam Hemanjit Singh (20).
The photographs of bodies of two missing students went viral after the internet was restored in Manipur on September 23.
