Manipur Government Urges Officials To Leave Social Media Groups Promoting Communal And Divisive Agendas

Amid concerns of ethnic divisions within the bureaucracy and police in Manipur, the state government has instructed officials to disassociate themselves from any social media groups that promote "separatist, anti-national, communal and divisive agendas."

All government departments have been asked to submit a compliance report regarding this matter, The Hindu reports.

The Commissioner (Home), T Ranjit Singh, sent a letter on 1 August as part of the Manipur government's status report to the Supreme Court.

The letter highlights the observation that many social media groups, including both formal and informal ones on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, "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.”

Members of certain groups are spreading false information, hate speech, and inappropriate videos, as well as sharing sensitive information that should not be made public, the letter says, adding that these actions are aimed at promoting their own agendas.

Since 3 May, a violent conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities has resulted in the deaths of over 150 people.

The letter revealed that many senior officers are, "inadvertently or by choice," members of social media groups. Additionally, some government employees are also engaging in inappropriate behaviour such as contributing, sharing, and commenting on blogging and microblogging sites.

The letter warned that being a member of such groups goes against the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Any members found to be in violation of these rules may face disciplinary action. Similar guidelines were issued in August 2022.