After a hiatus lasting over 140 days, mobile internet services are set to be restored in Manipur today. The decision comes in the wake of extended internet suspensions, which were initially imposed on May 23, 2023, due to communal clashes between the Meiteis and the Kukis in the region.
The announcement of the restoration of internet services was made by Manipur’s Chief Minister, N. Biren, during a press conference. He explained the government’s rationale for the temporary ban, stating, “I want to inform the people of Manipur that the state government imposed a ban on the internet to prevent untoward incidents. From today onwards, internet services will be resumed for the public.”
During the suspension, mobile internet services were only accessible to “whitelisted” mobile phone numbers approved by the government. On July 25, broadband services were partially resumed with specific conditions and an undertaking to be signed by users. However, mobile internet services remained suspended at that time.
The decision to restore internet services followed a comprehensive review of the ban’s impact on various sectors, including offices, educational institutions, health facilities, and online citizen-centric services. The government acknowledged that the suspension had adversely affected all sections of the population, including media personnel.
The primary concern behind the prolonged suspension was the potential misuse of internet facilities by anti-social elements to spread fake news and videos, which could exacerbate communal tensions. There had been several instances of such misuse in the past, prompting the government to take stringent measures.
This decision came as a relief to the people of Manipur, who have been grappling with the aftermath of violent clashes that erupted on May 3, 2023, during a “Tribal Solidarity March.” The march aimed to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The clashes left more than 160 people dead and several hundreds injured.
In Manipur, the Meiteis constitute approximately 53% of the population and predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley. Meanwhile, tribal communities, including Nagas and Kukis, make up 40% of the population and are primarily concentrated in the hill districts.
The decision to suspend internet services was made with the intention of thwarting the activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and preventing the spread of disinformation and false rumors on social media platforms, according to the Manipur government. The initial shutdown began in the districts of Churachandpur and Pherzawl on April 28 and was subsequently extended to cover the entire state on May 3, coinciding with the outbreak of violence. Since then, the ban had been repeatedly extended, affecting both broadband and mobile internet services.
As internet services are reinstated in Manipur today, residents are hopeful for a return to normalcy, with the government keeping a close watch on any potential misuse to ensure the peace and security of the region.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
