Mobile internet services were snapped in some parts of Manipur after protest rallies were held by tribal groups against the government’s decision to conduct an election in the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) without prior consultation with them. The tribal groups claimed that they had not been consulted on the issue and that the government’s decision violated their constitutional rights.
The internet shutdown was ordered by the state government as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumors and misinformation that could have incited violence. However, the move has been criticized by civil society groups, who argue that it violates the freedom of expression and the right to information of the people of Manipur.
The protest rallies were organized by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) and other tribal organizations. The groups have demanded that the elections to the ADCs be postponed until the government consults with them and addresses their concerns.
The ADCs are a form of local government in the tribal areas of Manipur, with elected representatives who have limited powers to make decisions related to development and administration in their respective districts. The tribal groups claim that the government’s decision to conduct the elections without their consultation undermines the autonomy and rights of the tribal people in the state.
