The Manipur government has directed its employees to quit social media groups, which, according to an official document, are engaged in spreading “separatist”, “anti-national” and “communal” agendas.
An office memorandum issued by Special Secretary (Home) H Gyan Prakash late on August 10 said that state government employees will have to exit such groups on WhatsApp and Facebook by 6 pm on August 12.
“It has been observed that many formal and informal groups on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and other chatgroups are engaged in pursuing separatist, anti-national, anti-state, anti-social, communal and divisive agendas which are causing unrest in the present times. cause. Peaceful social harmony and law and order situation of the state,” the memorandum said.
“Whereas, information has been received that many government officials including many senior officials are unknowingly or by choice members of these groups, thereby directly or indirectly in furthering such separatist, anti-national, anti-state, anti-social and divisive actively participate in the agenda,” it added.
The memorandum states that the members of these groups, in order to spread and further their respective agenda, indulge in spreading false information, hate speech and videos, and also share information which should not be in the public domain.
The government told its employees that failure to exit such groups would lead to appropriate disciplinary action for violating certain provisions of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules 1968 and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
Demands for more autonomy for tribal-dominated hill districts sparked violence in parts of the state last week, following which the government suspended mobile internet services for more than two days.