Manipur government extended the suspension of Internet services till June 20

Imphal, June 16 : Amidst sporadic incidents of violence, the Manipur government on Thursday extended the suspension of Internet services for the ninth time till June 20, to prevent the spread of rumours and videos, photos, and messages, which might affect the law and order situation.

Manipur Home Department Commissioner T. Ranjit Singh, in a notification, said that 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/private property, it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order.

The decision comes in light of reports of incidents of violence, attacks, and arson, raising concerns about the potential misuse of social media to incite public passion and disrupt the law and order situation.

The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) last week asked the state government to consider restoration of internet services which had been suspended since the ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3.