Manipur prohibits the circulation of images and videos depicting “violent activities”

The northeastern state of Manipur has been plagued by ethnic violence since May, and the Manipur government has banned the distribution of photos and films “depicting violent activities” that can worsen the law-and-order situation.

Order issued by the Governor

On behalf of Governor Anusuiya Uikey, commissioner (home) T Ranjit Singh issued an order in this regard on Wednesday. The order noted that the decision was made as a “positive step towards bringing normalcy in the state.”

The directive specified, “The state government views very seriously, and with utmost sensitivity the reported spread of videos and pictures/images depicting violent activities like causing/inflicting harm/injury to body and/or damage, to public/private property etc. through various social media platforms.”

“Anyone misusing technology for inciting violence/ hatred shall also be dealt with appropriately under relevant provisions of Information Technology Act and Rules and the Indian Penal Code,” added the state home department.

Exactly what is going on in Manipur?

Since May 3, ethnic confrontations between Meiteis and the tribal Kukis have been taking place in Manipur, significantly affecting daily life in the border state. The violence has so far resulted in at least 178 deaths, the burning of thousands of homes, and the displacement of almost 50,000 people.

Several sensitive videos and photographs depicting violence, fatalities, and property devastation have periodically surfaced and gone viral despite a restriction on internet services since May. This has caused indignation and violent protests.

A video that went viral in July and showed two women being paraded naked by a mob—one of whom was allegedly raped—led to worldwide outrage. Seven people were detained by the state police in connection with the case, which was eventually turned over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

A man’s head had previously been severed from his body, two youngsters had been shot on camera and dumped in a ditch, and several films had shown the destruction of homes and places of worship.

Two students went missing from Imphal in July, and last month, images of their remains went viral. Around 100 people were hurt in conflicts with police and security personnel as a result of the widespread rallies calling for justice. Another video that showed a person being burned, surfaced last week.

On September 23, the Manipur government removed a ban on mobile internet use that had been in place for more than four months following the ethnic unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May. However, following massive demonstrations against the murder of two Meitei students in Imphal on September 26, the prohibition was reintroduced.

The prohibition on using mobile internet was extended on Wednesday until October 16.

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