IMPHAL: Is ongoing internet ban in Manipur a ploy to keep shocking videos and failures of the Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur under wraps?
If what Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh is to be believed, this seems a possibility.
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In a telephonic conversation with the India Today channel, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said admitted that the internet ban in the state has been kept in place to prevent shocking videos from getting out in public.
The Manipur chief minister said that hundreds of shocking incidents have taken place during the course of ethnic violence in the state since May 3.
“Hundreds of cases took place. That’s why there is a ban on internet services,” said Manipur CM Biren Singh in the telephonic conversation with the India Today channel.
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It may be mentioned here that the BJP governments – both at the Centre and also in Manipur – have been pushed to the edge after a viral video surfaced on social media that showed two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob of unruly Metei men.
The shocking incident took place at Kangpokpi district of Manipur on May 4.
Meanwhile, Tripura royal scion and TIPRA leader Pradyot Debbarma has demanded action against the Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur.
The TIPRA party leader targeted Manipur chief minister Biren Singh over the incident, saying that he (Biren Singh) must have known about the incident from before.
“The chief minister said that he was shocked after seeing the video. Come on. He is the home minister (of Manipur). It’s a small state – Manipur. This video obviously was circulating around Manipur but we did not know about it because internet was banned,” he said.
He added: “But I am sure that the officials knew about it, he (Manipur CM Biren Singh) knew about it and he has to be held accountable.”
The TIPRA leader from Tripura also took a dig at the Manipur police for allegedly taking sides during the ethnic clashes in the state.
“All these times, we had been hearing that the police was taking sides. And this video shows that these allegation are not untrue,” said Pradyot Debbarma.