Manipur HC Directs State to Explore Mobile Internet Solutions

The Manipur High Court recently directed the State government to explore options for providing mobile internet services to the public in the State.

A Bench comprising of Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma issued the directive as follows:

“The State authorities, particularly the Home Department, should contemplate developing mechanisms/methods to deliver internet services through mobile phones via the process of whitelisting mobile numbers on a case-by-case basis and gradually. In line with this, the State authorities are instructed to deliberate on this matter and present a report on the upcoming hearing.”

The division bench was hearing a series of pleas filed by different parties seeking the reinstatement of mobile internet services, which were suspended following the outbreak of violence in the State.

During the hearing, the State Government counsel conveyed that in accordance with prior instructions from the High Court, the State government had issued necessary orders to lift the prohibition on providing internet access through broadband services (ILL & FTTH) in a permissive manner. However, this relaxation was subject to specific safeguards and conditions. Presently, numerous citizens have taken advantage of this internet service provision.

The authorities have conducted physical trials regarding the lifting of the mobile internet ban through the whitelisting of specific mobile numbers. As per the report presented by the service providers, there has been no data leakage to any unauthorized numbers not included in the whitelist, the representative added.

The petitioners’ counsel argued that since there had been no data breaches through the whitelisted mobile phones, the High Court could issue suitable orders directing the State to progressively whitelist all mobile phones.

An indefinite suspension of internet services has been in effect in Manipur since May 3, triggered by the outbreak of violence. The clashes ensued after the Manipur High Court directed the State government to assess the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list. Subsequently, conflicts between tribal and non-tribal communities led to multiple casualties.

Last month, the Supreme Court declined to urgently prioritize the petition filed by two advocates contesting the internet shutdown. A vacation bench composed of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal stated that the High Court was already handling the matter, thus eliminating the need for redundant proceedings. Consequently, the individuals who had approached the apex court chose to withdraw their plea and instead redirected their efforts to the High Court in the same case.

The Court scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 31, 2023.