Manipur: Mobile Internet Ban Extended Till October 31 Amid Sporadic Incidents Of Violence

Manipur Violence: The order to extend ban on internet services comes amid reports of bid to mob residences of legislators and protests in front of police stations.

Patrolling by security forces in a vulnerable area of Manipur ( Image Source :X/@manipur_police )

Guwahati: The Manipur government has extended the ban on mobile data and internet services across the state for another five days amid reports of incidents of violence. The order comes amid reports of confrontation of the public with security forces, bid to mob residences of legislators and protests in front of police stations. 

The order, issued by the Manipur Home Department, said there was apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite the public, which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state hit by ethnic violence since May. 

"As the above situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order, do hereby order suspension/curbing of mobile internet/data services, internet/data services through VPN in the territorial jurisdiction of Manipur for another five days with immediate effect from the time this suspension order becomes operational till 7:45 pm of October 31, 2023," the order read.   

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On Wednesday, the Manipur police arrested two active members of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), a separatist insurgent group of Manipur, from the state's Imphal West and Imphal East districts. The police recovered one 9 mm pistol, 143 live rounds of ammunition and three mobile handsets along with four SIM cards. Police said the duo was involved in widespread extortion from the public.

Meanwhile, security forces on Thursday ensured seamless movement of 283 vehicles carrying essential commodities along the National Highway 37, which links Imphal with Assam's Silchar, and 178 vehicles along National Highway 2, which connects Imphal with Nagaland's Dimapur. 

Strict security measures have also been taken in all the vulnerable areas and a security convoy is being provided in the sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of vehicles.

A total of 131 checkpoints are operational in different districts of the state. Manipur police have also detained 1,149 persons over the past 24 hours.