The Manipur government has extended its mobile internet ban in five districts for an additional five days, citing concerns over the prevailing law and order situation.
The suspension, which was initially imposed to prevent the spread of disinformation, will now continue until 3:00 pm on September 20, affecting the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
The Commissioner (Home) of the state government, in an official statement on Sunday, confirmed the extension. "The state government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation and its possible co-relation with the general operation of internet suspension in the last fortnight, decided to continue the suspension of internet and mobile data services including VSATs and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts for another five days w.e.f. 15-09-2024," the statement read.
The order, issued under Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, was endorsed by the Governor of Manipur.
It officially extended the ban on mobile data services, with the state emphasising the need to prevent the spread of rumours and mobilisation of mobs.
“The Governor of Manipur is pleased to order the extension of the temporary suspension of internet and mobile data services... w.e.f. 3:00 pm of 15-09-2024 till 3:00 pm of 20-09-2024 in public interest,” stated the order signed by Commissioner (Home) T. Ranjit Kumar.
However, the order does not apply to broadband internet services, which were conditionally reinstated on September 12.
The state government had lifted the ban on Broadband services (ILL & FTTH) "in a liberalised manner subject to the fulfilment of the terms and conditions" but maintained the suspension of mobile internet services.
"There are still apprehensions of the spread of disinformation and false rumours through social media, which can facilitate the mobilisation of agitators and demonstrators," the Home department explained, adding that poor control mechanisms could lead to violence, damage to property, and potential loss of life.
The decision to maintain the mobile internet ban comes in the wake of heightened student protests over the government’s handling of the ongoing unrest in the state.
The authorities had imposed curfews in several valley districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Thoubal, from 11:00 am on September 10.
The move was in response to widespread protests demanding action over the escalating violence in the state.
In light of the curfew, the state government relaxed restrictions from 5:00 am to 12:00 noon on Sunday in the affected districts, allowing residents to purchase essential items, including food and medicine.
The relaxation prompted a rush to markets, with long queues seen outside shops and ATMs as residents scrambled to withdraw cash due to the impact of the mobile internet ban on online transactions.
However, the curfew was reimposed promptly at noon, forcing people to return to their homes.
Despite the restrictions, essential services personnel were exempted from the curfew, allowing them to continue their operations.
Manipur has been engulfed in violence since May last year, following a rally that turned violent.
The unrest has claimed the lives of more than 200 people and displaced over 50,000. Many of those displaced remain in relief camps across the state.
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