Internet ban in Manipur to be lifted on trial basis following HC order

Manipur minister Khashim Vashum has said that mobile internet services will resume in Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts

Manipur government has said that mobile internet services will resume in Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts of the state. This is being done following a directive of the Manipur High Court.

The High Court has directed the state government to lift the ban on mobile internet, on a trial basis, in all district headquarters which have not been affected by the ongoing unrest. The state has seen violence since May 4 this year.

The High Court comes in the backdrop of the Manipur Government on Sunday extending the internet ban till today.

Minister Khashim Vashum, speaking at a function in Ukhrul on Tuesday, said that mobile internet services will resume in Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul. He added that the Government has initiated the opening of mobile towers on a trial basis in these district headquarters which have not been affected by the ongoing unrest.

Minister Vashum said, “Since most of the technicians and experts are from the Valley, the concerned authority is trying to activate the mobile towers with the available technicians. The government is doing everything possible to resume the services.”

It may be mentioned here that the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has been demanding lifting of the mobile internet ban in areas not affected by violence.

The ban on internet in Manipur has been in place since May 4 when violence broke out in the state and continues till date. The ban was lifted in between but it led to more violence after videos of rape and violence went viral prompting the government to reinstate the ban.