Mobile internet suspension in Manipur extended for 15 days

Imphal: In light of the current law and order situation resulting from recent violent incidents in various parts of the state, the Manipur government on Friday extended the suspension of mobile internet services within a 2-kilometre radius of inter-district borders in nine districts for an additional 15 days.

According to an order issued by Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, the nine districts, comprising both valley and hilly areas, are Chandel, Kakching, Churachandpur, Bisnupur, Kangpokpi, Imphal West, Thoubal, Tengnoupal and Imphal East.

“The state government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation and its possible co-relation with the general operation of internet suspension in the last fortnight, has decided to continue the suspension of operation of mobile towers along the inter-district borders of nine districts,” the order said.

In the recent violent incidents, two Manipur police commandos, several village volunteers and villagers were killed, while many others were injured, including a BSF trooper, in attacks by suspected armed militants in different parts of the riot-hit state.

After around eight months, the Manipur government had on December 3 last year lifted the ban on mobile internet services in large parts of the state.

However, the ban continued in the border areas of the nine districts.

Mobile internet services were first banned in Manipur on May 3 last year after ethnic violence broke out between non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zo communities.

Since then, the ban has been extended after every five days.

With inputs from IANS