Manipur High Court Orders State To Operationalise Mobile Towers In Violence Free Areas 'On Trial Basis'

The Manipur High Court has directed the State government to operationalise mobile towers in select safe zones of the violence affected state. The state has been witnessing ethnic conflicts since May this year between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community, living in the surrounding hills. The government had recently decided to extend the ban on mobile internet in the State till November 8.A bench presided over by Chief Justice Mr. Siddharth Mridul and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui observed, "Having heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties and in view of the express contents asseverated in paragraph 4 of the said order dated 5th November, 2023; the State of Manipur is directed to open and operationalize mobile towers, on a trial basis, in all those District Headquarters which have not been affected by violence and thereafter, if found feasible, extend the services to other areas where the law and order situation, so permits". The order had further mandated that the government would open mobile towers on trial basis in district headquarters not affected by violence.While directing the government to upload copies of all the orders issued in relation to suspension/curbing of mobile internet/data services, internet/data services through VPN in the State of Manipur on official website, the court directed to open and operationalize mobile towers, on a trial basis, in all those District Headquarters which have not been affected by violence. If successful, the court ordered that the services should be extended to other areas where the law and order situation allows and added, "It is clarified that even in the Districts that are partially affected by violence, those areas which are not so affected - in the same District - mobile towers shall be operationalized forthwith". Setting a deadline for compliance of this order, the bench scheduled a follow-up on November 9, 2023.Case Title: Aribam Dhananjoy Sharma @ Paojel Chaoba & Ors. Vs. State of Manipur& Ors. Click Here To Read/Download Order

Manipur High Court Orders State To Operationalise Mobile Towers In Violence Free Areas 'On Trial Basis'

Basit Amin Makhdoomi

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