Manipur violence: The Manipur authorities has extended the cellular internet ban in the state till November 8. According to officers, the newest transfer comes after a mob had on Wednesday attacked a camp of 1 Manipur Rifles in Imphal on November 1. The assault was completed to loot its armoury, prompting safety personnel to fireplace a number of rounds in the air. Barring a couple of days in September, cellular internet has remained banned in Manipur since May 3 when ethnic clashes broke out, they stated.
The internet ban was extended following “apprehensions that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speeches and hate video messages, inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state”.
Official order issued
An order issued by Commissioner (Home) T Ranjit Singh, acknowledged the existence of components of imminent hazard of lack of life and/or harm to public-private property. “As a result of inflammatory material and false rumours which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media. In the context of the recent incidents of violence in some parts of the state,” the order
Tension had been brewing in the state capital after an SDPO was shot lifeless by tribal militants at Moreh city on Tuesday. The order stated the state authorities would “go for the opening of mobile towers on trial basis in those district headquarters which had not been affected by violence”. “The same, if found feasible, shall be replicated to other areas where the law and order situation has improved,” it stated.
Manipur violence
Around 200 folks have been killed and a number of other hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest towards the bulk Meitei neighborhood’s demand for Scheduled Tribe standing. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s inhabitants and stay principally in the Imphal valley, whereas tribals, together with Nagas and Kukis, represent 40 per cent and reside principally in the hill districts.
(With PTI inputs)
