Manipur Govt To Resume Internet Services In State From Today, Says CM N Biren Singh

Internet services will be resumed in the state of Manipur from today (Sept 23), months after suspension following ethnic clashes in the northeastern state, said CM N Biren Singh.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh.

Source : PTI

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday (Sept 23) said that internet services ill be restored in the northeastern state, months after it was suspended following clashes between Kuki and Meitei communities. Answering a question on internet restoration during a press conference, the CM said he was glad to inform the people of Manipur that internet services will be resumed in the state from Saturday.

Ethnic clashes had erupted in the state on May 3 leading to continuous arson and violence in the state for over four months now. As a precautionary measure, the state government suspended the internet and bulk SMS services which was further extended on several occasions.

#WATCH | From today onwards, internet services will be opened for the public, says Manipur CM N Biren Singh pic.twitter.com/GqP3eR4tmM

— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

An official notification said that Manipur government revokes "all orders issued regarding suspension of mobile internet services under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017" in the state.

Manipur government revokes "all orders issued regarding suspension of mobile internet services under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017" in the state. pic.twitter.com/D3gcUgrjus

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 23, 2023

Meanwhile, fresh clashes were reported from the strife-torn state between security forces and protesters in specific areas of Imphal West on Friday (September 22) night. According to PTI, the violence was sparked by the re-arrest of one of the five defence volunteers who had been released on bail earlier in the day by an Imphal special court. Officials said there has been no official confirmation of the re-arrested youth's status.

While four of the arrested youth were released on bail and returned to their families, Moirangthem Anand, a former member of the banned People's Liberation Army, was among those re-arrested. Anand's wife, visibly upset in front of the Imphal police station, stated, "I have been told by the police that my husband has been arrested in connection with a previous case that is more than a decade old," as reported by PTI. 

 

Manipur Govt Files Status Report In SC

The Manipur government on Friday told the Supreme Court it has filed a status report on the recovery of arms from "all sources" in the ethnic violence-hit state, reported PTI. Appearing for the Cente and Manipur government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud that the status report is for the "consumption" of judges only.

On the other hand, on the demand of giving updates about the probe to the CBI on 11 FIRs transferred to it in cases involving sexual violence against women and children, the bench said it has already appointed "seasoned" IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar to supervise the investigation of criminal cases.

"Allow a little bit of time to the officer to take charge, monitor the situation and then we may ask for a status report," said the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, as quoted by PTI.