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Manipur govt. lifts internet ban, orders schools to reopen
‘the state authorities relaxed curfew in four districts of Manipur from 5 am till 2pm
IMPHAL — After reviewing the prevailing law and order situation in the state, the Manipur government on Monday decided to lift any form of internet suspension in the state, which was previously imposed as a preventive measure.
“…the Governor of Manipur is pleased to order revocation of any extend orders for temporary suspension of internet and mobile data services including the Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state with immediate effect,” stated a government order issued on Monday.
Accordingly, it directed all mobile service providers to resume normal functioning and provide internet services to the general public “as usual.”
On September 12, Manipur government had lifted the suspension on internet services in case of Broadband service (ILL and FTTH) conditionally, subject to the fulfilment of certain terms and conditions.
But on Sunday, September 15, it announced the extension of ban on mobile internet services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts for five more days—till 3 pm of September 20.
Previous story: Mobile internet ban extended in Manipur for 5 days
“The internet ban in the state will be lifted, and services will be restored. I urge everyone to use the internet responsibly and refrain from sharing or posting any unnecessary or inflammatory content that may disturb the peace and harmony in the state,” chief minister N Biren Singh wrote on X on Monday.
The internet ban in the state will be lifted, and services will be restored. I urge everyone to use the internet responsibly and refrain from sharing or posting any unnecessary or inflammatory content that may disturb the peace and harmony in the state.
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) September 16, 2024
Pleased to attend the… pic.twitter.com/CzpfmUTjPX
Curfew relaxed
Earlier in the day, the state authorities relaxed curfew in four districts from 5 am till 2pm, in view of the “developing law and orders in the district”.
As a result, people from different locations rushed to markets in and around Imphal to buy and stock up on essentials items. Long queues were also seen in front of almost all the ATM booths in the state capital as the ban on mobile internet has hit online transactions since the past five days.
Movement of persons engaged in essential services were exempted from further imposition of curfew even after the expiry of the relaxation period.
Schools/colleges to re-open
Further, all educational institutions across Manipur will re-open from Tuesday (September 17) and resume normal classes.
Manipur government had shut schools from September 7 in view of the deteriorating law and order situation then, in the backdrop of widespread students’ protest over the government’s alleged inaction in the ongoing violence in Manipur.
Manipur has been witnessing a fresh round of violence after a rally turned violent in May last year. So far, more than 200 people have lost their lives while more than 50,000 people have been internally displaced. Most of the displaced people are staying in relief camps in the state.