Manipur Amends Earlier Order, Says Internet Banned In Only 5 Valley Districts

The internet services are suspended in only five valley districts for five days, and not the entire state, the Manipur government said in an amended order on Tuesday evening in the wake of intensified agitation by students.

Earlier, the state government had issued a notification for suspension of internet services in the entire state for five days.

"... Temporary suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services including Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of the Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching Districts of Manipur for 5(five) days with effect from 3:00 P.M. of 10-09-2024," the latest Home Department order said.

The hill districts do not come under the purview of the order, officials said.

"... There is an imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public/private property, and widespread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours, which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle services," it said.

Manipur has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than a year between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, dividing the state into ethnic enclaves.

At least 11 people were killed last week as hostilities between the two communities erupted again after months of relative calm. Rival militias have set up blockades in parts of the state.

On Tuesday, a curfew was imposed in the state capital Imphal and the surrounding valley after student-led protests on Monday sparked clashes with police. 

Protesters have been demanding action against insurgents accused of using "improvised" projectile weapons and drone attacks last week, in what police called a "significant escalation" of violence in the state.

"To thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain peace and communal harmony and to prevent any loss of life or danger to public/private property, it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours, through various social media platform such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc," said the government. 

The government said it aims to stop "mobilization of mobs of agitators and demonstrators, which can cause loss of life and/or damage to public/private property by indulging in arson/vandalism and other types of violent activities".

Long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs.