Amid violence internet services suspended in Kiphire district
Amid violence in Manipur Internet services shut down for five days
KOHIMA: Amid tension after yesterday’s polls, Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha has ordered ban on internet services in Kiphire district with immediate effect till further orders.
Through a notification on Tuesday, Sinha warned of serious law and order problems in Kiphire district and fears of post-poll violence.
The Home Commissioner said that messaging services like SMS and WhatsApp and other social media platforms can be used to spread rumours, and spread false information, and inflammatory texts, pictures, videos, etc., which The law and order situation may deteriorate.
To prevent the misuse of such means from inflaming tension in the district and disturbing public peace, Sinha imposed a ban under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
As per the order, mobile internet/data service of all service providers in the entire area of Kiphire district has been banned with immediate effect till further orders.
Sinha warned that any violation of the declaration would be punishable under Section 188 CrPC and also under the relevant section of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
Local sources told that the situation under the 60-Pungro Kiphire assembly constituency turned tense when citizens supporting Ramdas Athawale’s Republican Party of India (RPI) demanded re-polling in the constituency.
Three candidates are in the fray in the constituency, including RPI(A) candidate Yangseo Sangtam, NDPP’s Kiusumew Yimchunger, and INC’s T Atsuba.
