Mobile Internet Services Restore in Manipur After 4-Month Suspension

Mobile internet services, which had been suspended in Manipur since May 3 due to ethnic violence, were reinstated on Saturday following an announcement by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The services were restored around 3 p.m. on the same day.

The decision to lift the ban on mobile internet services was officially conveyed by the state's home department, stating, "...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 Manipur normally with effect from September 23, 2023."

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had announced in the morning that the suspension of mobile internet services, implemented on May 3 to curb the spread of fake news, propaganda, and hate speech during the ethnic violence, would be lifted. He explained, "The government had suspended mobile internet services on May 3 to check the spread of fake news, propaganda, and hate speech. However, with the improvement of the situation, mobile internet services will be restored across the state from today."

Since May 3, ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has resulted in at least 176 fatalities and the displacement of nearly 50,000 people.

Initially, the state government had suspended mobile internet services in select districts, later extending the suspension to cover the entire state. While curbs on broadband internet were relaxed on June 27, the suspension of mobile data services remained in place.

Responding to reports of mobile data services being active in parts of Churachandpur, the epicenter of the clashes, and neighboring Bishnupur district on September 20, Chief Minister Singh stated that two officials had been suspended in connection with the matter.

Regarding border security, the Manipur government has urged the central government to cancel the free movement regime along the India-Myanmar border, allowing people on both sides to venture 16 kilometers into each other's territory without documentation. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh emphasized the importance of completing border fencing and dealing with the issue of "illegal immigrants," revealing that the Union home ministry had taken steps to fence 60 kilometers of the international border in Manipur.

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