Manipur Govt Extends Internet Ban Till April 16 Amid Ongoing Law And Order Concerns
Imphal: The Manipur government on Tuesday extended the suspension of mobile internet and data services, including broadband, for another two days across five Imphal valley districts, citing the prevailing law and order situation, officials said.
The restriction follows an earlier shutdown imposed on April 7, when internet and mobile data services, including broadband, were suspended for three days across the same districts in a bid to prevent escalation of violence.
The move came hours after a deadly bomb attack in Bishnupur district on April 7, allegedly carried out by suspected Kuki militants, which claimed the lives of two children and left their mother injured, officials added.
According to a notification issued by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N. Ashok Kumar on Tuesday, the decision to extend the suspension was taken after reviewing the current situation in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts.
The notification said that the state government considers it necessary to continue the suspension of mobile internet services, mobile data services, and VPN services, as the technical feasibility for effective control and regulatory mechanisms over mobile data remains inadequate.
Authorities also expressed concern over the potential spread of misinformation and false rumours through social media platforms.
“Spread of disinformation and false rumours, and the sending of bulk SMS messages, can facilitate the mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators. This may lead to loss of life and damage to public and private property through arson, vandalism, and other violent activities, for which the control mechanism is still poor,” Kumar said in the notification.
In separate notifications, District Magistrates of the five Imphal valley districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur — have relaxed the curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow residents to carry out essential and urgent activities outside their homes.
The orders specify that no individual will carry arms of any kind during the relaxation period, including sticks, stones, firearms without valid licences, or any object that could be used as an offensive weapon.
Shops and retail outlets have also been permitted to operate during the relaxation period, according to the District Magistrates’ directives.
Meanwhile, following the April 7 bomb attack in Bishnupur district that killed two young children, thousands of people, including a large number of women, have been holding daily protest rallies across Imphal valley districts.
Protesters have condemned the attack and demanded strict punishment for those responsible.
The Manipur government has already handed over the investigation into the deadly bomb attack to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has held a series of review meetings to assess the evolving law and order situation in the state.
These meetings were attended by senior officials from the Army, paramilitary forces, central security agencies, and the state police.
On Monday, Director General of Assam Rifles, Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, met the Chief Minister and held detailed discussions on the prevailing law and order situation as well as the overall security situation in the state.
(IANS)
