The Manipur government has lifted the internet ban in five valley districts after six days of suspension. The state has also ordered the reopening of schools starting tomorrow. N Ashok Kumar, the state’s Commissioner (Home), announced that internet services, including lease lines, VSATs, broadband, and VPN services, are to be restored immediately.
This decision comes after a review of the prevailing law and order situation in the state. The government had initially banned mobile and broadband internet services on September 10 in response to student-led protests in Imphal, which escalated into clashes with police. These protests were driven by demands for the restoration of normalcy after 16 months of ethnic violence.
Protesters had also called for an indefinite shutdown of schools in the valley areas until their demands were met. Previously, the suspension of internet services via broadband connections was partially lifted on September 12. The recent order fully restores all forms of internet services.
Commissioner Kumar emphasized that the internet suspension was a temporary measure taken in good faith to maintain public interest and urged all users to refrain from activities that could lead to future suspensions. The affected districts included Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
Internet restored in Manipur valley districts
Now, with the lifting of the ban, normalcy is expected to return, and schools will resume operations tomorrow. In related news, the curfew in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts has been eased to allow residents to purchase essential items. However, Thoubal district remains under curfew due to continuing unrest.
The state of Manipur has been experiencing escalating violence, leading to the imposition of curfews in three districts and an internet ban in five. This follows a series of militant attacks that resulted in several deaths and injuries. Chief Minister N Biren Singh held an urgent meeting with coalition MLAs and briefed the governor on the current situation.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining essential services operational during this period. The imposition of the indefinite curfew and restricted internet access comes as the state tackles renewed violence since September 1. The unrest has been partly attributed to misinformation spread on social media, which has fueled student protests over alleged administrative failures.
These protests have occasionally escalated into clashes with police forces. In response, the state has increased its security presence to manage and control the situation more effectively. The lifting of the internet ban and the easing of the curfew are positive steps towards restoring normalcy in the affected areas of Manipur.
