Manipur High Court Directs State To Provide Limited Internet Service At Designated Places

The Manipur High Court has directed the State authorities to provide limited internet service to the public in some designated places under the control of the State authorities.

An order to this effect was issued by Justices Ahanthem Bimol Singh & A. Guneshwar Sharma while hearing a bunch of Public Interest Litigations seeking restoration of internet services in the State.

Internet ban has been continuing in the State since May 3 due to violence in relation to a High Court direction to consider granting Scheduled Tribe status to Meitei community. Several orders extending the shutdown have been issued by the State government.

The bench noted that internet is necessary for the public to carry out urgent and essential services, especially in regards to the ongoing admission process of students.

It has also asked private telecom service providers to file affidavits explaining the feasibility of providing limited internet services to the public by blocking social media websites in order to safeguard the state government's concern for maintaining law and order.

The bench has set the next date of consideration for these cases on June 23, 2023 and in the meantime, the parties involved have been granted the liberty to exchange their affidavits as they see fit.

Last week, the Supreme Court declined urgent listing of a plea challenging the internet shutdown in the State, noting that the matter was already ongoing before the High Court. "The High Court is hearing the matter. What's the need to duplicate proceedings?" the Top Court had said.

Case Title: Aribam Dhananjoy Sharma @ Paojel Chaoba & 2 ors Vs State of Manipur & 4 ors.

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