Manipur govt issues show-cause notice to Airtel for data leakage

Guwahati: The Manipur government has served a show-cause notice to Airtel over “data leakage” to non-whitelisted mobile in some areas of Churachandpur and adjoining areas of Bishnupur district on September 20 while the suspension of mobile data service is still in force in the state.

Commissioner (Home) T Ranjit Singh, through a letter addressed to Chief Technical Officer of Airtel, Imphal, Ashish Bansal, on Thursday told the private telecom service provider that it was “a serious lapse on the part of service provider” as the “lapse might have led to the dissemination of inflammatory and provocative clips and messages in various social media platforms leading to communal tension, hatred and rumours” as tension continues in Manipur.

“Considering the very sensitive and volatile law and order situation currently prevailing in the state, the aforesaid lapses have been viewed very seriously by the state government, and this amounts to violation of the government orders,” the letter read.

The state government has directed Airtel to submit a written explanation by Friday stating how such serious lapses occurred; who are responsible officers for such an act; explanation as to why appropriate legal action should not be taken for violation of government orders.

Dear Reader,
Over the past four years, EastMojo revolutionised the coverage of Northeast India through our sharp, impactful, and unbiased coverage. And we are not saying this: you, our readers, say so about us. Thanks to you, we have become Northeast India’s largest, independent, multimedia digital news platform.
Now, we need your help to sustain what you started.
We are fiercely protective of our ‘independent’ status and would like to remain so: it helps us provide quality journalism free from biases and agendas. From travelling to the remotest regions to cover various issues to paying local reporters honest wages to encourage them, we spend our money on where it matters.
Now, we seek your support in remaining truly independent, unbiased, and objective. We want to show the world that it is possible to cover issues that matter to the people without asking for corporate and/or government support. We can do it without them; we cannot do it without you.
Support independent journalism, subscribe to EastMojo.

Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com

SUBSCRIBE HERE

‘Drought’ amid flood: Despite rains, Guwahati citizens thirst for water

Still India’s sporting powerhouse: Manipur athletes fight for normalcy

Beyond Pride, the dreaded reality: Why attacks on Assam’s transpersons are rising

Mizoram: How a science centre became home to Kuki, Meitei orphans from Churachandpur

The Manipur government had been suspending telecom services since May 3 and had been reviewing it at regular intervals for phase wise opening of internet services.

However, only “specially whitelisted” for the physical testing by the state government under Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public emergency or public safety) Rules 2017 is in force in the state.

Also Read | Manipur govt submits arms recovery status to SC