Manipur: Suspension of Mobile Internet Extended for Additional Two Days Across Nine Districts
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Imphal, Nov 27 (NationPress) The government of Manipur has opted to extend the suspension of mobile internet and data services for an additional two days in nine districts, including the troubled Jiribam district, as a precautionary measure, officials reported.
Officials from the Home Department indicated that, apart from one individual reported missing on Monday from Kangpokpi district, no significant incidents have been noted across these nine districts since November 18. Therefore, the decision to prolong the suspension is deemed necessary for safety reasons.
Commissioner of Home, N. Ashok Kumar, stated in his directive: 'Given the current law and order conditions within the state, there is concern that certain anti-social elements might exploit social media to disseminate images, hateful messages, and videos, which could incite public unrest and have severe consequences for public order.'
'Consequently, as a preventive measure, the state government has enacted a temporary ban on mobile internet and data services,' the directive specified.
This internet suspension will remain in effect across the nine districts until 5:15 PM on November 29.
The affected districts include both valley and hill areas: Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Jiribam, and Pherzawl.
Following a series of violent incidents and mob attacks that began on November 16 in the valley areas, particularly Imphal East and Imphal West, after the tragic discovery of six bodies of three missing children and three women in Jiribam on November 15 and 16, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi mandated the suspension of mobile internet and data services for two days in the affected regions.
Since that time, the suspension has been repeatedly extended.
However, as no significant incidents have been reported recently across Manipur, the Home Department had previously conditionally lifted the suspension on broadband services (fixed line) to alleviate the difficulties faced by students, workers, and healthcare facilities, as well as educational institutions and other offices.
In a related development, the Manipur government on Tuesday ordered the closure of all educational institutions including schools and universities in six districts under curfew for an indefinite period.
Director of Education (Schools) L. Nandakumar Singh and Joint Secretary (Higher and Technical Education Department) Daryal Juli Anal, in separate directives, instructed zonal and district officials to take necessary actions to close all government, private, and government-aided educational institutions, including colleges and universities, until further notice.
An official from the Education Department mentioned that this decision to close educational institutions was made after consultations with the Home Department.
For the safety of students, teachers, and non-teaching staff, all educational institutions will be closed indefinitely in the six districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam.
