Abha Anindita
SHILLONG:
Kerme Marbaniang is a fresh graduate and is a Rapido driver. Since November 22 though, he hasn’t had a single ride because the app-based service was shut down after the state government banned mobile internet to prevent the law and order situation from getting worse in the wake of the Mukroh firing that left six persons dead.
“We understand that the government intends to curb the spread of misinformation that could lead to violence but it should also think of the economic impacts of such steps,” he said.
He added, “As a fresh graduate, I took up this job so that I can provide for my family, and the income depends on the rides I take, and the application is dependent on the internet. We are the ones suffering.”
The idea of life without the mobile internet takes one back to pre late 90’s. What would one do with a smartphone that has no internet? Many would also agree that a smartphone serves no purpose without the 4G symbol, but in the hill state of Meghalaya, internet shutdowns are becoming a normal phenomenon.
According to media reports in 2021, Meghalaya saw 600 hours of mobile internet shutdown since the MDA government came to power in 2018.
After shutting down the internet on November 22 for 48 hours, the government extended it twice by 48 hours, the last kicking in from Saturday morning and scheduled to end on Monday morning.
The notification dated November 22 said, “Messaging systems like WhatsApp and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are likely to be used for the transmission of information through pictures, videos and texts, having the potential to cause serious breakdown of law and order.”
The notification further mentioned that to prevent the misuse of these forms of media to disturb peace and tranquility in the state and cause a threat to public safety, there would be temporary shutdown of internet for 48 hours under Section 5 (il) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, read with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. The internet shutdown was in seven districts, including the East Khasi Hills.
However, The Supreme Court of India in the Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020) 3 SCC 637 had ruled that an indefinite suspension of internet services would be illegal under Indian law. The order also mentioned that any notifications for internet shutdown must satisfy the tests of necessity and proportionality and should be subject to judicial review.
The implications of mobile internet ban are a direct attack on human rights, freedom of expression and right to information. It also disrupts financial transactions, commerce and industry.
Phibanri Lang owns a small shop in Dhankheti. On the internet ban in the state, she said, “Our primary mode of transaction is Google Pay. Customers are not able to pay us neither are we able to pay for the stuff we buy for the shop. It is a problem.”
The wired form of the internet is available, but not everybody can have access to it thereby creating a digital divide. Possibly the worst victims of the ban are the delivery agents who are heavily dependent on the mobile internet.
“I saved myself enough money to buy a smartphone and then wanted to use it to my advantage. Therefore I got engaged with Swiggy and started delivering. The money I earn is on a daily basis. It depends on the number of deliveries I make in a day, but with mobile internet not working, I have nothing to do and have not made a penny for the last five days,” said a Swiggy delivery agent who did not want to be named.
The state government has tried to justify the ban citing possible breakdown of law and order. But even with internet banned, violence was reported in the city after a candlelight vigil that was organised by several pressure groups to mourn the victims of the firing incident. A police booth was torched while three women police constables and a visiting Customs Inspector were injured in attacks by unidentified miscreants.