Imphal, June 7: As internet continue to remain suspended in the violence hit Manipur, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday against the internet shutdown in the state.
The plea was filed in SC by two residents of Imphal, who termed internet ban as “unwarranted” and “disproportionate”.
This comes at a time when the state has extended the ban on internet till June 10. The internet ban on mobile data services, including broadband, was extended till 3 pm on June 10, according to an order issued by Commissioner (Home) H Gyan Prakash read.
The plea also read that the suspension of internet has had a significant humanitarian, social, economic and psychological impact on both the petitioners and their families.
It further said that they are not being able to send their kids to school, access funds from the banks or receive payments from clients, nor being able to distribute salaries, or communicate via email or WhatsApp, bringing people’s lives and livelihoods to a standstill.
Manipur High Court advocate Chongtham Victor Singh, who is also one of the petitioners, while talking to media said that the ban on internet is affecting daily lives of people in the state. He further said that this is a serious issue as they are not able to do our their work and earn money.
The plea further states that people in the state are experiencing fear, helplessness, anxiety, and frustration as a result of internet shutdown. It said that they are not able communicate with their loved ones or colleagues, straining personal, professional, and social relationships.
The petitioners also claimed that five internet shutdown extensions in the state represents an unreasonable limitation on the right to freedom of speech and expression.
The PIL has also sought court orders to declare the internet shutdown orders in the state as illegal.
