CM Biren Strongly Warns Against Misuse of Social Media

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has warned against misusing social media platforms like you-tube, X (formerly twitter), facebook, instagram etc. in the State.

Addressing media persons this afternoon at his Secretariat, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that there has been an upsurge recently in the use of social media platforms in an uncivilized, uncouth and harmful manner.

The Chief Minister warned social media influencers and administrators of social media pages including youtubers against victimizing and stigmatizing anyone by tarnishing their character or to incite communal hatred, and added that, one must be fully aware of his or her actions and its consequences on others.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, warned of legal actions against those misusing social media platforms and said that a special police team will be constituted to look into such cases.

He continued that the Police Intelligence wing have been instructed to issue a formal notification to check the activity of youtubers, social media influencers, facebook, page admins, X (formerly twitter) and create awareness cum warning against misusing social media platforms.

No one, no matter how influential or strong they are, they are not authorised to be the moral police of the society and take the law into their hands, the Chief Minister further warned against the use of social media platforms to admonish others or to incite communal flare ups.

He also strongly rebuked those using fake names or identity to create animosity/flare-ups among communities, inciting anti-national feelings among the youth and said those using fake names can also be arrested. Acknowledging the presence of numerous Civil Society Organisations in the State, the Chief Minister hinted that no organization or association has the authority to arrest, pick up, assault, admonish someone or brandish weapons.

Strongly warning those who intimidate government officials and make monetary demands or official contracts for developmental works, the Chief Minister said that there is a government and a law of the land. He continued that today everyone seems to be acting like the authority questioning anyone they like and uploading such videos on social media.

The government will not tolerate anyone taking the law in their own hands and inciting communal flare ups, assassinating someone's character or disturbing personal lives with their social media posts, he added.

The Chief Minister also said that many of those involved in vandalizing properties of State’s Cabinet Ministers and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have been apprehended and legal proceedings taken up against them, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the government is for the people and will continue to stand to protect and preserve the integrity and identity of Manipur. He further appealed to the people to support and cooperate with the government in its stand.

Stating that the situation in the State has improved to some extent, the Chief Minister said missions like the Go to Hills, Go to Village, Meeyamgi Numit have been restarted.

N. Biren Singh who distributed Track Suits to the journalist's fraternity today further urged the media fraternity to continue taking the constructive role they have been taking so that the State may return to the days of peace and development.

The ceremony was attended by Ministers, MLAs, Commissioner and Director (IPR) and media fraternity among others.