Manipur: Internet Ban Extended In Five Violence-Hit Districts Till September 20

Amid ongoing violence in Manipur, the CM Biren Singh government has extended the ban on mobile internet in five districts until September 20 to maintain law and order.

The strife-torn Manipur has witnessed a series of violent incidents since September 1 (Image: PTI File)

Source : PTI

Amid renewed violence in parts of Manipur, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government has extended the ban on mobile internet services in five districts till September 20. The affected districts are Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bisnupur, and Kakching. Chief Minister N Biren Singh's government, however, relaxed curfew prohibitions in four districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, and Thoubal, for a few hours in the morning.

An order from the State's Home Department confirmed the extension of the ban that began on September 10 and was set to last for five days. The order said the decision to extend the prohibitions was taken in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

After incidents of violence and student protests for two days, the Manipur government suspended the mobile internet service in five districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching -- for five days (till September 15).

"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 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 of Manipur for another 5 days with effect from September 15," said N Ashok Kumar, Commissioner, Home, in Sunday's order.

On September 12, the broadband and fixed lease line internet service were restored in five districts in the Manipur Valley, while the suspension of the mobile internet was extended.

Curfew Relaxed

Apprehending fresh trouble in the valley regions, including in the state capital Imphal and its adjoining areas, district authorities on September 10 also reimposed curfew for an indefinite period in four districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, and Thoubal. However, prohibitory orders in these districts were relaxed on Sunday for seven hours from 5 a.m.

#WATCH | Imphal, Manipur: People throng the Khwairamband Market to buy daily commodities as curfew in Imphal gets a 10-hour relaxation from 5 am to 4 pm. pic.twitter.com/kIN9rd6f4M

— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2024

Violence In Manipur

The strife-torn Manipur has witnessed a series of violent incidents since September 1, with suspected militants gunning down at least 12 people, including two women, elderly persons and a retired soldier, and injuring over 20 others in different districts.

In protest against the renewed violence, thousands of students belonging to schools and colleges held agitations for two days (on September 9 and 10) demanding the removal of the Director General of police and chief security advisor to the state government for their alleged inability to deal with the rising militant activities.. 

The student leaders separately met Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister N Biren Singh and highlighted their demands, which also included the withdrawal of Central forces from the state and maintaining the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Owing to militant violence and student protests, the Higher and Technical Education Department and the Directorate of Education, in two separate orders, closed all schools, colleges and technical institutions till September 14.

Meanwhile, the Army, and the Assam Rifles, along with the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, and the Manipur Police continue their anti-insurgency operations across the state.