Consider restoring internet, Manipur rights body tells govt

In the order issued by Commission chairperson Justice U B Saha and member K K Singh, the MHRC has directed the Commissioner (Home) to “consider” if “internet service can be restored in the State of Manipur for providing benefit to the citizen keeping balance the security of the state and right to freedom of expression”.

The Commission had received a complaint from an Aizawl resident on the suspension of internet services in Churachandpur district last month. The complaint called it a “human rights violation”.

“We are of the view that internet plays a vital role in the modern day of life, more so when the young generation of the country who are working from home through internet and also the students who would

appear in the examination through online may face severe effect without internet,” the Commission observed.
The MHRC added: “As is known, the fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution of India are non-absolute. This is where the concept of reasonable restriction in Article 19 of the Constitution of India does appear. We are not in favour of the shutdown of the internet service in the State of Manipur as due to such shut down of internet in the State, not only the students who are appearing examination through online but also the elderly persons who depend on their children at aboard and also common citizens and persons who are dependent on internet are badly affected and they are not in the position to continue their respective works like banking purchasing Air ticket and train ticket etc., more so, internet is nowadays one of the vital human rights for decent livelihood,” the Commission observed.

The MHRC noted that it was awaiting an order from the Supreme Court on a similar petition filed by two Manipur residents.
“At present, we are only issuing notice to the Chief Secretary to the State of Manipur and Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur directing them to file their responses by way of status report,” it said.