Back‘What’s the need to duplicate proceedings?': SC declines urgent listing of plea challenging Internet ban in Manipur
The Supreme Court has declined an urgent listing of a petition challenging the ban on internet services in Manipur, where ethnic violence has been taking place. The Manipur government has extended the ban until 10 June; it was first imposed on 3 May.
PremiumThe Supreme Court of India declined the urgent listing of a petition challenging the internet ban in violence-hit Manipur where conflicts between the military forces and insurgents took place, according to a report published by Bar and Bench.
Two Manipur residents moved the Supreme Court on June 6 against the "mechanical and repeated" internet shutdown in the state rocked by ethnic violence that began a month ago.
The plea filed by Chongtham Victor Singh and Mayengbam James said the shutdown was "grossly disproportionate" in interfering with the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to carry on any trade or business using the constitutionally protected medium of the internet.
“Mention before the regular bench.. HC is hearing the matter. ..No need to duplicate proceedings," Justice Aniruddha Bose said.
The plea stated that the measure has had a significant economic, humanitarian, social, and psychological impact on both the petitioners and their families, PTI reported.
The petition contended the residents of the state experienced feelings of "fear, anxiety, helplessness, and frustration" as a result of the shutdown, and have been unable to communicate with their loved ones or office colleagues.
"Continued suspension of the internet for the purpose of preventing rumor-mongering and the spread of misinformation does not pass the threshold prescribed by the Telecom Suspension Rules 2017," the plea said.
The Manipur government on Tuesday extended the ban on internet services till June 10. The suspension of mobile data services, including broadband, has been extended till 3 pm on June 10, an order issued by Commissioner (Home) H Gyan Prakash said. The ban was imposed on May 3.
Nearly 100 people have lost their lives and 310 others injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur. A total of 37,450 people are currently sheltered in 272 relief camps.
Clashes first broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 percent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
(With PTI inputs)
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