Internet services resume in Manipur

The Government of Manipur has restored internet services which had been suspended from the month of May throughout the State in the wake of an ethnic strife between Meitei and Kuki communities.

The restoration of the services was announced by the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in a press conference held on Saturday at his Secretariat, Imphal. The announcement comes a day after the Chief Minister issued an ultimatum to submit all illegal weapons held by any person or groups across the State within a period of 15 days from September 22.

In his press conference, Biren said the youths, media persons and different professionals have to bear the difficulties of the internet ban for the past 4 months and that it was imposed to curb the spread of fake news, propaganda and hate speeches.

The revocation order stated that the suspension of mobile data services in the territorial jurisdiction of Manipur was issued on 03-05-2023 for a period of 5(five) days based on the report furnished by Director General of Police, Manipur in connection with the volatile law and order situation in the State of Manipur, and which was extended from time to time and remains in force till today.

"The Director General of Police, Manipur has now informed that the incidents of violence have comparatively lessened in the State; and law and order situation has improved with the request to relax the suspension of internet/mobile data, MMS services in the territorial jurisdiction of State of Manipur in view of the positive development," it said.

The Government, thus, revoked the suspension orders of all the internet services in the territorial jurisdiction of State of Manipur normally with effect from 23-09-2023.