The Mao Students’ Union has today appealed the Manipur Government to withdraw the internet ban in ‘crisis unaffected areas’ as it has affected its education, socio and economic sectors and especially its student community.
In a press release issued by its Press & Information Wing, the Union asserted that the insensitive censor of internet for more than five months is unprecedented for a democratic government in today’s modern era.
Having followed the ongoing crisis in Manipur between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo, the Union expressed empathy over the loss of lives and properties, and appealed both the conflicting communities to restrain themselves to allow peace and normalcy to return in the State
“On the basis of our ethics and practice, we denounce out-rightly what we have witnessed in the breakdown of law and order in the state and allowing mob culture and street justice to take over,” stated the Union.
However, on behalf of the citizens who are not a party to the ongoing crisis, the Union condemned the arbitrary decision of the State government to impose a blanket ban of internet data services (through VPN) in the whole state.
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“The internet shutdown has deeply impacted the citizens in this modern digital world as people in the State have started to rely on internet connectivity for education, social and economic livelihoods. It has crippled the ability of communication and information which is a basic right in a democracy. It is a ruthless assault on civil liberty and political rights,” stated the Union.
It further forewarned that internet ban will only create more space for anger and reactions not only by the neutral community but also by the conflicting communities against the State government which is already facing a herculean task in resolving the ongoing crisis. “We wish to report the facts as we see them and the implications that are likely to follow,” the Union added.
“Therefore, we inform the state government and the administration to delve deeper to understand the complexities of the said extension of ban of internet in the crisis unaffected areas of Manipur and accordingly consider lifting the internet ban with immediate effect as highlighted,” appealed the Union.
