Ban on mobile internet has been extended in Manipur till September 20

The Manipur government has extended the ban on mobile internet services in five districts of the state for five more days till 3pm on September 20.

Issuing an order in this regard on Sunday, the Speaker (House) of the state government said, “The state government after reviewing the existing law and order and its relationship with the total shutdown of the Internet for two weeks with has decided to continue suspending internet and mobile data services including VSATs, and VPN land services in Imphal, West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts of Manipur for another 5 days from 15- 09-2024.”

Therefore, pursuant to the power conferred under Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to order the suspension of the private internet and mobile data services including VSATs, and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts of Manipur for another 5 days from 3:00 pm on 15- 09-2024 to 3:00 pm on 20-09-2024 in public interest,” said the order signed by Kumar.

This order shall not apply to or have any effect on state government order No.H-1701/181/2023-HD-HD-Part (1) dated 12-09-2024 regarding conditional lifting of suspension of Broadband internet services. (ILL & FTTH), added.

On September 12, the state government took the suspension of Internet services in the case of Broadband service (ILL and FTTH) as a condition of freedom subject to the implementation of terms and conditions.

However, the State Government has decided “to continue the suspension of Mobile Internet data” as “there is still the fear of spreading fake news and fake news, through various social media”. , facilitating and/or mobilizing riot groups and protesters, which may cause loss of life and/or damage to public/private property by engaging in arson/destruction and other forms of violence where the control system is still weak, such as reported by the Department of the Interior.

Earlier in the day, the state administration had relaxed the curfew in all areas of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts from 5 am to 12 noon in view of “development laws and district orders” and also “to facilitate the general public. to buy essential items including medicine and food.”

As a result, people from different places rushed to the markets in and around Imphal to buy essential items. Long queues are also seen in front of almost all ATMs in the state capital to withdraw some money as the ban on mobile internet has affected online transactions for the past four days.

But they are forced to rush to their places as the curfew break ends at 12 noon.

However, the movement of people belonging to essential services is exempted from the imposition of an additional curfew after the end of the relaxation period.

The Manipur administration has imposed a curfew in the valley districts with effect from 11 am on September 10, in view of the law and order situation in the wake of widespread student protests against the government’s inaction in the violence. from Manipur.

Manipur witnessed violence after a violent rally in May last year. So far, more than 200 people have lost their lives while more than 50,000 people have been internally displaced. Most of the displaced people are in relief camps in the region.