Manipur Officials Told To Quit Social Media Groups

Relevance: GS 2 - Important aspects of governance; Government policies; GS3 - Challenges to internal security through communication networks, the role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges; GS4- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

(Source: The Hindu, 08/14/23)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, the State government of Manipur has asked officials to quit formal and informal groups on social media platforms that further “separatist, anti-national, communal and divisive agendas”. Amidst growing concerns that bureaucracy and the police in Manipur are divided along ethnic lines.
• The ethnic violence between Kuki and Meitei communities that erupted on May 3 has led to the death of more than 150 people.

Why Are Manipur Officials Being Told To Quit Social Media Groups?

• The Manipur government has sought compliance reports from all government departments following a letter from T. Ranjit Singh, Commissioner (Home). This letter is part of a status report filed by the Manipur government in the Supreme Court on August 1.
• Divisive tendencies: The letter highlighted concerns about social media groups on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, which are promoting separatist, anti-national, and divisive agendas.
• Affecting governance: These groups are contributing to false information, hate speech, and sharing restricted information.
• Against impartiality and non-partisanship: The government emphasized that participating in such groups contradicts conduct rules for government employees and is against the rules outlined in the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 (Rules 5 and 7), and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 (Rules 5, 9, and 11).

Status of Investigation

• Zero FIRs and Jurisdiction: According to the State government’s status report in the apex court more than 11,000 zero First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered from May 3-July 30. After addressing duplications through record cleaning, the consolidated count revealed 6,621 FIRs by July 30.
• Investigation Hurdles: The investigation in many cases is stuck, as police officials cannot go to hill or valley areas depending on the community they belong to.
• This is further complicated by police duties in maintaining law and order and supporting farmers during the sowing season.
• Challenges in Crimes Against Women: Investigations into severe crimes against women face hurdles as only 16 arrests were made out of 82 cases, with 193 witness statements recorded. Similarly, in cases of property destruction, only 14 arrests were made out of 4,454 cases.
• CBI: The Supreme Court mandated the scrutiny and transfer of six offenses against women-related FIRs to the CBI within two weeks. The CBI's ongoing investigation into 11 cases, including a high-profile gang rape incident.

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