Shillong, June 16: Banning of internet facilities on mobile phones has resumed again on Saturday in six districts of Meghalaya.
The ban is for 48 hours from 3 pm on Saturday.
Earlier, internet services on mobile phones was suspended since June 1 to prevent spreading of rumours and fake news in social media platforms following the incident that occurred at Them ïew Mawlong on May 31.
However on June 13, the government lifted the suspension of internet services on mobile telephones.
Though no official communiqué was issued to the media by the government in this regard, but a notification signed by the Commissioner and Secretary (Home), S. Kharlyngdoh was circulated in social media especially whatsapp.
East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner also confirmed that internet on mobile phones has been again suspended which came from the government.
The notification signed by Kharlyngdoh said that the government had received reports from Director General of Police that a serious law and order situation continues to prevail in Khasi & Jaiñtia Hills and Ri Bhoi district having potential threats to public safety.
“Messaging systems like Whatsapp and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and You Tube are likely to be used for transmission of information like pictures, videos and texts that have the potential to inflame passions and thus exacerbate the law and order situation in the entire Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi district,†the notification stated.
In order to prevent the misuse of the above mentioned media to disturb peace and tranquility and for maintaining law and order the use of internet has been prohibited for 48 hours starting from 3 pm on Saturday in East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Jaiñtia Hills and West Jaiñtia Hills.
Meanwhile, SP (City), S.A. Rynjah informed that some people with vested interest(s) have posted provocative posts/hate messages/rumors/fake news in social media which have led to incitement of communal feelings/sense of insecurity, in the mind of certain sections of society.
In a statement, the SP (City) appealed to the public to desist from sending such hate posts/rumors/fake news, in social media so that normalcy can be restored in Shillong city at the earliest.
He also urged the general public to desist from sharing/publicizing such posts without verifying the authenticity of the same, while requesting moderators/administrators of various groups in social media to delete such post(s), if any, posted in their groups.
“The Meghalaya police are taking serious note of such post(s) and will initiate legal/criminal action against perpetrators of such provocative posts,†the SP (City) said.
