The Manipur government partially lifted the suspension of the internet in the state on Thursday, issuing orders to restore only broadband services (ILL and FTTH) under several terms and conditions.
However, mobile internet data shall remain suspended under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, as per the latest orders issued by commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur N Ashok Kumar.
The preparedness for having effective control and regulatory mechanism for mobile data service is not technically feasible and there are still apprehensions of spreading disinformation and false rumours through various social media platforms, it stated.
The connection for broadband services (ILL and FTTH) will be allowed only through static IP and that the subscriber concerned shall not accept any other connection other than allowed for the time being, it stated.
It stated that the TSP or ISP shall be held responsible for non-compliance of this condition. No wifi/hotspots shall be allowed from any of the routers and systems using the connection at any cost by the subscriber concerned, it stated.
It mentioned that Media Access Control Address (MAC) binding at the system level or router shall be ensured with the help of ISP/TSP concerned. Blocking of social media websites and VPNs at the local level will be ensured by the subscriber concerned, it added.
The order also instructed to ensure removal of any existing VPNs software from the system and not to install any new software/VPN App by the subscriber concerned.
It further directed to enforce physical monitoring by subscriber concerned, concerned authority or officials of checking violation of the terms and conditions specified.
It also mentioned changing of login ID and Password for respective systems on a daily basis. The subscriber concerned shall obey all orders/ regulations regarding any change in the condition under which service is being allowed issued by the State Government from time to time, it added.
It cautioned that in the event of any violation, subscribers concerned will be liable to be punished as per provisions of relevant laws of the land in force.
The subscriber shall also agree to be personally fixed responsibility for any leakage/ activities done by any secondary user of the internet, in case Wi-Fi/ Hotspot had been activated without approval of Home Department from the system/router, it stated.
ISP shall ensure to obtain undertaking to the extent as explained above before giving any internet connection in the prescribed format (enclosed herewith) without fail, it mentioned. Any person found guilty for violation of aforesaid orders will be liable for legal action, it added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Manipur state government suspended internet services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state for five days with immediate effect in view of the fresh violence that hit the state recently.
The move was taken as the situation in the state was likely to cause possible serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order.
It ordered temporary suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services including Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state for five days with effect from 3 pm of Tuesday till 3 pm of Sunday.
Shortly after the internet suspension order was released, the State Home Department issued another order stating that the internet services will be suspended only in the territorial jurisdiction of five valley districts across the state namely Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts, while exempting the hill districts.
The move to ban internet services, as its first course of action to solve any issue, drew widespread furor from the people of the state.
