Manipur: Mobile Internet Temporarily Halted for Additional Two Days as a Safety Precaution
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Imphal, Dec 3 (NationPress) The officials in Manipur have mandated the suspension of mobile internet services for an additional two days across nine districts as a response to the persistent ethnic violence affecting the region.
As stated by a representative from the Home Department, mobile internet and data services will remain suspended until 5:15 p.m. on December 5 as a precautionary measure.
Aside from a person reported missing on November 25 from Kangpokpi district, no significant incidents have been reported across the nine districts since November 18. The extension of mobile internet and data service suspension for two more days aims to avert any potential disturbances, according to the official.
Commissioner of Home, N. Ashok Kumar, in his directive, stated: "Considering the current law and order situation in the state, there are concerns that some anti-social elements may exploit social media to disseminate images, hate speech, and incendiary video messages that could stir public unrest, potentially leading to serious repercussions for the law and order situation. Therefore, as a precautionary step, the state government has enforced a temporary suspension of mobile internet and mobile data services."
The nine districts affected by the suspension of mobile internet and data services include Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Jiribam, and Pherzawl.
In response to widespread violence and assaults on residences and official properties of ministers, MLAs, and political figures by mobs since November 16 in valley districts, particularly Imphal East and Imphal West, following the discovery of the bodies of three missing children and three women in Jiribam district on November 15 and 16, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered the initial suspension of mobile internet and data services in these districts for a duration of two days.
Since that time, the suspension has been periodically extended over the past 18 days.
However, after a two-week hiatus, regular classes resumed in all educational establishments, including schools and universities across six districts on November 29.
Curfew restrictions have also been relaxed in the six districts impacted by violence -- Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam.
Nevertheless, according to the District Magistrate's directives, any gatherings or rallies still require prior approval from the relevant authorities.
