Manipur Government Asks Officials To Exit Social Media Groups; Here’s Why

New Delhi: In the backdrop of reports claiming that there is a divide between the bureaucracy and the police along ethnic lines, state government officials in Manipur have been asked to quit formal and informal groups on social media platforms as they attempt to further “separatist, anti-national, communal and divisive agendas”, according to a report in The Hindu.

In a letter, as part of the status report by the Manipur government, Commissioner (Home), T Ranjit Singh highlighted that many social media groups on different platforms engage in such partisan and divisive behaviour. All government departments have been instructed to submit a compliance report.

“It has been noticed that many formal and informal groups on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and other chat groups 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,” read the letter.

The letter added that members of the groups pushed their respective agendas and that some officials were also “contributing, sharing and commenting” on the posts, in a manner unbecoming of a government employee.

It warned that engaging in such actions is in “contravention of Rules 5 and 7 or both of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and Rules 5, 9, and 11 or all three of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964”, and such members are liable to face disciplinary action.