During a visit to the university, Pandian reviewed the progress of the development works and directed the officials engaged in the project to speed up the construction works to complete those in time.

Pandian, who also interacted with the students in the university ground, told them to focus on their studies and responsibility towards the society. Encouraging the students to participate in the state government’s Nua-O programme, he said it is a highly rewarding platform for their career and future.

“You can participate in different competitions organised at college, block and district levels to explore their talent. You should know that participation in the competitions counts, not winning or losing. The programme will not only help you in your career but also make you responsible citizens of the country,” he said.

Urging the students to participate in different sports, he said a health mind in a healthy body makes a man achieve success. “You all should participate in different types of physical activities and do mediation for at least 15 minutes daily,” he said.

Advising them not to waste time in social media, Pandian advised them to focus on their studies. “Be active for at least 14 hours in a day and focus on your studies. Respect your parents and march towards your goal on the path shown by them,” he said.

If the social media platforms don’t act swiftly, their “safe harbour under section 79 of the IT Act would be withdrawn”, a statement by Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajiv Chandrasekhar said.

The implication is that they can be directly prosecuted under applicable laws and rules, even if the content may not have been uploaded by them.

“The notices served to these platforms emphasize the importance of prompt and permanent removal or disabling of access to any CSAM (child sexual abuse material) on their platforms. They also call for the implementation of proactive measures, such as content moderation algorithms and reporting mechanisms, to prevent the dissemination of CSAM in the future,” the statement by the ministry read.

The government is determined to “build a safe and trusted internet under the IT rules,” said Chandrasekhar.

“The IT rules under the IT Act lays down strict expectations from social media intermediaries that they should not allow criminal or harmful posts on their platforms,” he added, referring to Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.

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.