The Manipur government has ordered shutdown of mobile Internet services in the state for three days from Monday to prevent misuse of social media to spread hate video messages and images following clashes between two villages over a land dispute.

The step was taken to curb efforts of criminals to further worsen the tense situation prevailing in Kamjong district of Manipur following clashes between villagers of Kamjong and Chassad in the past few days.

An order issued on Monday by special secretary, home, H. Gyan Parakash, stated: “Social media has become a useful tool for rumour mongers and is being used extensively to incite the public. Unless the use of Internet/mobile data is curbed temporarily, there is a likelihood of deterioration of law and order and a communal violence in the state.”

The decision to ban Internet/ mobile data services follows clashes between residents of two villages in Kamjong district on Monday. At least 10 houses in the villages have been reportedly set on fire by angry villagers.

The incident took place after a house was burnt in wildfire.

There has been a land dispute between the two villages for quite some time.

The district administration has also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in the area.

Many villagers have reportedly taken shelter at an Assam Rifles camp located nearby. A large police team rushed to the spot.

Earlier in the day, chief minister N. Biren Singh sent a high-level ministerial team, led by deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar, to the spot in a helicopter to bring the situation under control. The team comprised education minister Th. Radheshyam, agriculture minister V. Hangkhanlian, sports minister Letpao Haokip, MLAs Leishiyo and Khasim Ruivah and officials of the district administration.