Manipur government extends ban on internet services till July 5, defers reopening of schools

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Manipur government has extended the ban on internet services till July 5. The state government has deferred the reopening of schools to July 8.

The state government stated that this order is issued to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of the State of Manipur and shall be in force for another five days. On June 20 the Manipur High Court directed the state government to partially restore internet access in some areas.

Internet services were banned in the state on May 3 following deadly clashes between the tribal Kukis and the Meiteis--the dominant community in Imphal Valley--over a court order for granting scheduled tribe status to the Meities. “Some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech, hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for law and order situation in the state,” said the order extending the ban on the internet services till July 5.

“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 in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours, through various social media platforms,” it stated. As per earlier order schools were to reopen on July 1.