Imphal: Taking note of rumour mongering and spreading of false propaganda through social media like Whatsapp, Facebook, SMS etc, the District Magistrate of Imphal West has issued an order to discontinue mobile services immediately in view of the prevailing tension in Manipur.
"In view of the recent tension prevailing in the state of Manipur, including the area falling under Imphal west district, it is feared that rumors are spread through social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, Hike, Messenger and Viber etc using mobile data. In this regard, stoppage of mobile data service is required in order to diffuse the state situation," an order from District Magistrate Robert Singh Kshetrimayum's office said.
The order dated December 17 said the telecom operators must immediately discontinue mobile data services until further notice to maintain law and order situation and defuse the tense situation in the area.
The blockade was announced by United Naga Council (UNC) follows the Manipur Government’s decision to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam areas to full-fledged districts.
Following the decision on November 1, the UNC militants blocked Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiribam highways indefinitely.
On December 12, the Home Ministry had issued a statement and warned that no one would be allowed to take the law in their hands.
