Net down since September 21 : Time for folks to ponder
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 26 2018 -

A coincidence it is, but it is significant to note that just one day after Works Minister and Government spokesman Th Biswajit warned against abusing social media, internet service was suspended on September 21.

The MU crisis is central to the decision to suspend internet service and while it is still not clear when the service will be restored, this would be the opportune moment for all to delve into the question of how responsible are the people when they use social media sites like Facebook and Whatsapp.

Have the social media sites been used diligently by the people or are they used to spread hatred and suspicion amongst the people is the natural question that follows.

From the action of the Government, it is more than clear that the powers that be believe that social media sites have gone some way in making the situation more tense, spreading propaganda which are mischievous and dangerous and challenge peace in society.

The natural question that follows is, how well grounded is the apprehension of the Government ?

On what basis has the Government come to the conclusion that social media sites like Facebook and Whatsapp spread false stories which vitiate the situation ?

A look at the social media sites should be able to provide some degree of answer and it is here that one need to question the maturity of all those using social media sites.

This is not the first time that social media sites have been suspended and this will not be the last either.

One can recall the days back in 2015 when the Government felt constrained to suspend social media sites after the Churachandpur uproar in the face of the three Bills passed by the State Assembly.

One can also recall the days when social media sites were suspended when a hate post from some other States, targeting natives of Manipur circulated and went viral.

It is when such sites are misused that the Government steps in and suspend service, affecting all and not only the trouble makers who get their kick by posting hate messages and false information which can fuel the mindset of the people.

It is not yet clear when the ban will be lifted, but as things stand today, all point to the possibility of the MU crisis getting more and more murky.

Already a good number of student organisations have announced a 48 hour Statewide bandh from midnight of September 26.

Tough to say how the bandh call will proceed, but to be sure it will be more than effective.

And given the tense moment in which the bandh call has been issued, situation can take a turn for the worse.

Moreover the Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) has already announced that it would not co-operate with the two men inquiry commission set up to probe the charges against AP Pandey.

Tough to say how things will proceed from here, but it can be anything but smooth.

AP Pandey has been suspended but in the process he has made it sure that the ghost he has left behind will not be easy to exorcise and this can be seen from the manner in which men believed to have been hand picked by him have taken charge of key responsibilities in Manipur University.