Manipur: People express joy after Govt lifts ban on internet

Internet was banned since May 3 in Manipur after violence erupted in the state

People in Manipur heaved a sigh of relief today after the N Biren Singh government decied to lift the ban on internet services, after over 4 months. Soon after services resumed, people from different walks of life irrespective of age, were seen glued to their mobile phones.

While some chose to browse the internet searching for their favourite contents, the resumption of services have also eased the troubles faced by people in terms of phone banking, online mode of payment, or even making a video call.

A few individuals spoke to Northeast Live and here is what they had to say after the ban was lifted.

Oinam Premdas, vice-president of the Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) said, “Students have been demanding for right to internet for quite long time since the beginning of the crisis, Now providing the internet services will benefit students staying in buffer zones, those in the hill areas, those who are from the far away villages. They will be getting the benefits to attend the classes, getting notes from their teachers which will help them overall in their academics. It will also help Graduates, Post Graduates and PhD students to get access to different sources. So it is overall good for students.”

Inmates lodged at different relief camps are also elated over the development. One of them said, “I feel very happy because it was banned since a long time. Now I get to know about news. It is a good decision by the government.”

Another internally displaced person affected by the recent conflict said, “I feel very good and happy today as for the past several months internet was banned. We could not get any information, in order to use G Pay we had to visit a nearby store. But now we can do it with the help of our mobile phone, so I am very happy.”

Robinson, a journalist by profession said, “I feel a bit happy to know that the internet ban has been lifted by the state government. Because of that we faced a lot of problem in sending our news report, but after lifting of this ban finally we can do our work conventionally.”

A student said, “I feel good. It is a positive step by the government.”

The Manipur Home Department in an order issued today stated, “…the Governor of Manipur is pleased to revoke all orders issued regarding the suspension of mobile data services…and hereby, orders the restoration of MMS over mobile service providers/mobile internet/data services in the territorial jurisdiction of Manipur normally with effect from 23-09-2023.”

Last month, the Manipur High Court had also directed the state government to devise a mechanism for providing internet services through mobile phones by whitelisting the mobile numbers on case-to-case basis and in a phase-wise manner. Broadband services were conditionally restored following a government order on July 25.

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