Northeast Desk, 7th November: In response to the extension of the mobile internet ban in Manipur until November 8, the Manipur High Court has issued a significant directive to the state government. The court has called for the trial activation of mobile towers in all district headquarters that remain unaffected by ethnic strife.
The order was delivered by the division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui. In their directive, the bench emphasized the importance of extending mobile services to areas that have not been touched by the ongoing violence, providing a means of communication for residents in those regions.
Moreover, the court has urged the state government to make copies of all orders pertaining to the suspension or restriction of mobile internet data services available on its official website. This transparency is expected to facilitate better communication and awareness among the public regarding the restrictions and their conditions.
A compliance hearing for the matter has been scheduled for November 9, during which the court will assess the progress made toward implementing these directives.
The extension of the mobile internet ban in Manipur, which had remained in place since May 3 following ethnic clashes, was further justified due to concerns that anti-social elements might exploit social media platforms for the transmission of images, hate speeches, and hate video messages. Such actions could incite public passions and potentially lead to serious repercussions for law and order within the state.
The ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur has notably affected ten districts, and this unrest is rooted in a variety of grievances that various communities have expressed. One flashpoint of the crisis revolves around the move to grant Meiteis Scheduled Tribe status, which has since been revoked, and the attempt to relocate tribals living in protected forest areas.
Meiteis, constituting approximately 53% of Manipur’s population, predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up around 40% of the population and inhabit the hill districts. Since ethnic clashes first erupted in May, Manipur has witnessed recurrent bouts of violence, leading to more than 180 casualties.