Imphal, Aug. 28: The Manipur science and technology department is drafting a set of rules to regulate the cyber café business in the state capital and minimise misuse of the Internet, especially by minors.

Senior scientific officer U.C. Laishram said the proposed rules would make it mandatory for cyber cafés to permit only those possessing photo-identity cards to access the Internet.

“A customer can produce a photo card issued by the Election Commission, a passport or an income-tax PAN card,” he said.

The rules are being framed in accordance with a directive from the Union ministry of communication and information technology.

Laishram said cyber cafés in Imphal had become the favourite haunts of students fascinated with online dating, chatting and pornography.

“There are about 60 cyber cafés in and around the state capital. But instead of using these in a productive manner, most school, college and university students spend time and money in chatting and visiting pornography sites.”

The official said non-governmental organisations and militant groups might launch a crackdown on cyber cafés, like the recent one on seedy hotels and restaurants, if the trend continued.

The banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup has already clamped a ban on restaurants renting out cabins to teenaged couples for premarital sexual activity.

Once the rules governing cyber cafés take effect, minors will not be allowed to access the Internet unless accompanied by a guardian or without adult supervision. Pornographic sites will probably be filtered and child-safety locks installed in computers.

The proposed rules could also make it mandatory for cyber cafés to have open layouts. The rules will be implemented in collaboration with the police department.

The science and technology department has solicited suggestions from all cyber café owners and individuals. These can be sent to the director of the department by e-mail.