The Manipur Home Department has banned all mobile internet services in the state for three days, starting March 16 evening. Issued by H. Gyan Prakash, Special Secretary (Home), the internet shutdown was imposed in light of tensions in Chassad village in Kamjong district, involving clashes between two communities, allegedly over land disputes, according to Imphal Free Press. 50 houses were torched in Chassad village, the Sangai Express reported. WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are being used are being used to share "hate video messages and images to incite the public", the order said, adding that, "social media has also become a handy tool for rumour mongers and is being used extensively to incite the general public". "Unless the use of internet/mobile data is curbed temporarily, there is likelihood of serious repercussions in the law and order and the possibilities of communal violence in the State," the Home Department's order said. The order also mentions "misuse" of SMS and dongle services, apart from that of mobile internet. Internet was shut down under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules under the Telegraph Act. Given the emergent situation, the shutdown order was passed ex-parte, said the order. In February 2019, mobile internet services were snapped for 5 days in the state amidst protests against protests against the then Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2018. Even cable news channels were barred from “transmission of agitation or protest” under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 which prohibits transmission of agitation or protests which may lead to…
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