the State’s Internet Censorship
The Supreme Court has received a plea challenging the perpetual internet blackout that Manipur has been subjected to since May 3 when unrest broke out in the State. Lawyer Chongtham Victor Singh and businessman Mayengbam James filed the suit, and they noted that the Manipur government had repeatedly ordered the State’s internet to be shut down despite “a clear and admitted de-escalation” of the situation.
“The shutdown has not only left [people of the State] feeling fearful, anxious, helpless, and frustrated, but it has also made it difficult for them to interact with their loved ones or co-workers, straining their personal, professional, and social relationships. Their lives and livelihoods have also come to a standstill as a result of not being able to send their kids to school, access their bank accounts, receive or send payments, buy necessary supplies and medicines, and more, according to the petition.
This caused several conflicts between tribal and non-tribal groups, which resulted in fatalities
A writ appeal against Justice Muralidharan’s decision was given notice by a division of the High Court, and it will be heard on June 6. The State administration issued the most recent internet censorship order on May 26. The petition claimed that the blocking orders refer to law and order and anti-social elements rather than public order and that the most recent extensions lacked the legal monitoring of the Review Committee.
According to the plea, the internet ban serves no legitimate purpose and has no direct connection to maintaining law and order given the current situation.
Furthermore, it was argued that the directives are extremely disproportionate because they restrict how residents can exercise their basic freedoms of expression and trade and employment.
According to the submission, because the announcements on the internet ban were not posted on any websites or social media platforms, locals were unable to find alternatives or raise objections to the ban.
Therefore, the petitioners requested that the State be ordered to reinstate internet access in all areas and to publicise both the suspension orders and the Review Committee’s findings.
Written By– Aditya Singh, College Name– Army Law College, Pune, Semester– 2nd Semester Student an intern under Legal Vidhya
