SC Refuses To Interfere With HC Order On Manipur Internet Restoration

The Supreme Court, on Monday, declined to interfere with the Manipur High Court's order regarding the restoration of limited internet services in the State affected by ethnic conflicts. However, the Court granted the State of Manipur the freedom to approach the High Court and inform them about the difficulties faced in implementing the High Court's order.

The bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Manoj Misra, heard a plea filed by the State Government challenging the Manipur High Court's decision to allow the partial restoration of internet services in the State.

On July 7, the Manipur High Court had directed the State government to lift the ban on Internet Lease Line (ILL) and Fibre To The Home (FTTH) connections in the State, subject to compliance with safeguards suggested by an Expert Committee. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the State of Manipur before the Supreme Court, stated, "Any rumor is likely to ignite riots. The question of internet is sometimes open and then sometimes it is not. My prayer is that the Internet issue can be left to the discretion of those on the ground, my lord."

In response, CJI DY Chandrachud suggested that the state could approach the Manipur High Court and inform them about the issues they are facing. The Chief Justice passed the order, stating, "The Solicitor General has submitted that the State of Manipur will approach the High Court of Manipur with the difficulties faced in implementing its order regarding the internet. Liberty granted."

CJI Chandrachud also assured the Solicitor General that no coercive action would be taken against the State for non-compliance with the High Court's order, stating, "If anything happens, we are always here."

Earlier, the Supreme Court had considered two petitions-one filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi seeking protection for the Kuki tribe by the Indian Army, and the other filed by the Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Dinganglung Gangmei, challenging the Manipur High Court's direction to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list. The Court had directed the Manipur Government to act upon certain suggestions made by the petitioners to mitigate the situation, while emphasising that it cannot take control of law and order from the elected government.