Manipur Governor issues order suspending all Mobile/Data Services for five days

Guwahati, February 12, 2019:

After the sustained protests in Manipur under the banner of the Manipur People against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 (MANPAC) and the People Alliance Manipur (PAM), the Manipur administration has taken unprecedented measures in order to curb the protests.

InsideNE had reported earlier that mobile data services are being suspended in the state for five days, and now, we have gained access to an order from the Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla issuing the order. Through this order, the Government in Manipur hopes it will be able to silence the voices raised in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.

“During this period of protests, students’ organizations, civil society organizations, and other anti-social elements are using social media such as WhatsApp and Facebook extensively for transmission of hate video messages to incite the public”, the order states. It is further alleged that social media has become a “handy tool for rumor mongers” and is being used to “incite the general public”.

Citing “serious repercussions in law and order and the possibility of communal violence in the state”, if the internet is not checked, it states that “all Mobile Internet/Data services in the territorial jurisdiction of State of Manipur” are to be suspended. Any person found guilty for violation of aforesaid orders will be liable for legal action, it says.