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By Saraswat Kashyap: The Manipur government on Tuesday extended the suspension on internet services across the state till May 20.
An order, issued by the Home Department of Manipur, stated, “Police communication suggests that there are still reports of incidents like fighting amongst volunteers and youths of major communities residing in the state with reports of arson of houses. 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.”
“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 or 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 rumors, through various social media platform such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter besides others, on mobile phones and Short Message Service (SMS), for facilitating and mobilization of mobs, agitators and demonstrators, which can cause loss of life and damage to public and private property by indulging in arson and vandalism and other types of violent activities,” the order stated.
“Under the above mentioned reasons, in which the situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order, do hereby order further suspension and curbing of mobile data service, internet and data services including broadband in the entire state of Manipur. The order is issued to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of the state and shall be in force for another five days with immediate effect,” the order further stated.
Meanwhile, Manipur’s security advisor, Kuldiep Singh, said, “We have introduced one phone number (9485280461) for having ‘Rumour Free Manipur’ so that anyone having knowledge of any rumour or incident which is suspected to be correct or incorrect should dial this number and narrate it.”
On May 3, mobile internet services in the state were banned, while all other forms of internet, including broadband, were banned on May 4.
The overall situation in Manipur remained peaceful on Tuesday with no major report of violence.
The violent clashes in the state have so far claimed at least 73 lives, besides leaving another 230 people injured.
Over 1,700 houses were reduced to ashes after being torched by miscreants.
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