The Manipur government has extended the ban on mobile internet/data services for another five more days till September 20 in the valley districts of the state.
The latest order issued by Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, N Ashok Kumar in the name of the Governor on Sunday, said that the state government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation and its possible correlation with the general operation of internet suspension in the last fortnight, decided to continue suspension of internet and mobile data services including VSATs, and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bisnupur and Kakching districts for another five days.
It stated that the temporary suspension of internet and mobile data services including VSATs and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of the said districts has been extended with effect from 3 pm of Sunday till 3 pm of Friday in public interest.
The order will not apply or have any effect on the state government vide orders No. H 1701/181/2023-HD-HD-Part (1) dated September 12 regarding conditional lifting of suspension of internet services through Broadband (ILL & FTTH), it asserted.
It directed all Mobile Service providers to ensure compliance of this order and also requested all internet users to refrain from activities which may cause situations which will warrant for suspension of internet services in future.
The suspension will apply to all except for those cases whereby the state government has exempted and allowed for whitelisting, it stated. The order is issued in exercise of the power conferred as per Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, with approval of the competent authority, it mentioned adding that it is subject to review at any point of time.
The statement also said that in view of the prevailing law and order situation, state government vide orders No. 1H-3607/4/2022-HD-HD(Pt.)(1) dated September 10 suspended internet and mobile data services including Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bisnupur and Kakching of Manipur for five days with effect from 3 pm of September 10 till 3 pm of September 15.
It also noted the state government’s orders No. H-1701/181/2023-HD-HD-Part (1) dated 12-09-2024 regarding conditional lifting of suspension of internet services through Broadband (ILL & FTTH).
ALSO READ: No lessons learnt
