Quit Social Media Groups: Manipur Govt Tells Its Employees

The Manipur government has asked the officials to quit formal and informal groups on social media platforms that further "separatist, anti-national, communal and divisive agendas", The Hindu reported.

It comes amid reports that bureaucracy is divided into ethnic lines. A compliance report has been sought from all government departments, the report said.

The letter said, "It has been noticed that many formal and informal groups on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and other chat groups are engaged in furthering separatist, anti-national, anti-State, anti-social, communal and divisive agendas which cause disturbance in existing peaceful social harmony and law and order situation of the State."

The report stated that group members engage in disseminating false information, hate speech, videos, and sensitive information not meant for public consumption, all in pursuit of advancing their individual agendas.

Additionally, the report highlights that some officials are also participating in "contributing, sharing, and commenting" on blogging and microblogging platforms, a behaviour deemed inappropriate for government employees.

The advisory cautioned that membership in such groups violates either Rule 5 or Rule 7 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, as well as Rule 5, Rule 9, or Rule 11 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Members engaging in such activity may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Probe in many cases are stuck as police officials cannot go to hill or valley areas based on their community affiliation, the report said citing a senior official.

"It is a huge impediment. A large number of policemen are also deployed on law and order duty and to provide protection to farmers as the sowing season is on," the official said.

More than 160 people have been killed, and several hundred injured since ethnic violence first broke out in the state on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

The tension escalated after a video of May 4 incident where two women were paraded naked by a mob went viral on July 19. The CBI is investigating this case along with 10 other cases linked to violence.