The Manipur government has once again decided to relax the suspension of internet/mobile data, MMS services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state with immediate effect considering the inconveniences faced by the general public and the prevailing law and order situation which is reportedly improving in the past few days.
Latest orders issued by the government on Sunday declared that the suspension of internet/mobile data, MMS services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Manipur has been relaxed except for the mobile towers catering services of the stretch of 2 Km radius along adjoining areas of some particular districts for 15 days till December 18.
The order issued by Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, T Ranjit Singh stated that the Suspension of internet/mobile data, MMS services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Manipur has been relaxed except for the mobile towers catering services of the stretch of 2 Km radius along adjoining areas between districts of Chandel and Kakching, Churachandpur and Bishnupur, Churachandpur and kakching, Kangpokpi and Imphal West, Kangpokpi and Imphal East, Kangpokpi and Thoubal and Tengnoupal and Kakching, it stated.
The Governor of Manipur issued the order for revocation of any earlier orders of suspension of Mobile internet data/internet data services through VPN with restoration of the same and also to order for suspension of operation of only those mobile towers catering service of the stretch of 2 km radius along adjoining areas between said districts under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 with immediate effect in public interest till 7:45 pm of December 18, it asserted.
It directed all mobile service providers to ensure compliance of the order and also urged all internet users to refrain from activities which may cause situations which will warrant for suspension of internet services in future.
It also recalled the order for temporary suspension of mobile internet services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state issued on September 26 for a period of five days (Conformation on September 27) in connection with the volatile law and order situation in the state, which was extended from time to time.
Mention may be made that the state government had already opened a substantial number of mobile towers in few district headquarters, which has not been affected by the violence on trial basis and as per direction of the High Court of Manipur’s order dated November 6, 2023 and subsequent order dated November 9, 2023 as passed in PIL No. 25 of 2023 and other related cases and after proper examination/assessment of the prevailing law and order situation in the state.
It may be recalled that the state government lifted the ban on mobile internet/data services in the violence-hit state on September 23 after it was banned on May 4, following the communal clashes that broke out on May 3. However, it was banned again on September 26 just after three days.
Various civil society organisations and student bodies pointing out the inconveniences facing the general public owing to no mobile internet access have been demanding lifting of the ban on mobile internet services in the state.
