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The government of Manipur has imposed a complete shutdown of the internet, including lease lines, VSATs, broadband, and VPN services, for five days, extending until September 15. As per the government, this decision aims to prevent the spread of inflammatory messages and hate speech that could worsen the ongoing law-and-order crisis in the state.
The fresh internet ban follows a week of escalating ethnic violence, student protests, and insurgent attacks across Manipur.
After a brief period of relative calm, tensions surged again on September 1, when militants launched drone attacks on civilians in the Imphal West district.
“In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State of Manipur, 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,” says the order.
Adding to the unrest, a former army soldier was found dead on September 9 after crossing the buffer zone that divides the territories of the state’s two warring communities. This event led the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) to organise protests in Imphal.
“In exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, having satisfied that the above situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order, do hereby order temporary suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services including Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur for five days with effect from 3:00 P.M. of 10-09-2024 till 3:00 P.M. of 15-09-2024,” continues the order.
As Medianama reports, this isn’t the first internet shutdown Manipur has faced. The violence-affected state saw an extended blackout from May to December 2023, the longest one in India.
The 5,000-hour blackout accounted for the majority of India’s total 7,000-hour internet disruption in 2023.
During that time, a petition filed in the Supreme Court highlighted the severe consequences of the shutdown on the lives of citizens. The petitioners argued that the lack of connectivity crippled their ability to access basic services, communicate with loved ones, and pursue economic activities.
The internet in India is a fundamental right. In the case of Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2019), the Supreme Court of India laid down guidelines for internet shutdowns. The Court said that any internet order should be published by the government, governments should consider deploying less restrictive measures first, the shutdown must be temporary, and a review mechanism should be put in place.
The Indian government has always relied on internet shutdowns and this has hurt marginalised communities across the country. Furthermore, the internet shutdowns also cause financial losses to small businesses.
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