Internet services in Manipur will be fully restored today, after being suspended for over four months due to ethnic violence. Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the decision was made due to the improving situation in the state.
The Manipur government resumed broadband internet services on July 25, 2023, with certain conditions and a declaration to be signed by users. At that time, Mobile internet services remained suspended. The decision was made after reviewing the ban on internet services, which had affected various sectors, including offices, educational institutions, health facilities, and online citizen-centric services.
The state government of Manipur shut down the internet in May in response to escalating ethnic violence between the Meitei community, which is the majority, and the Kuki tribe, which is the minority.
It has been reported that over 160 people have been killed and hundreds injured in violence since May 3. The Meitei people make up about 53% of the population of Manipur and live mainly in the Imphal Valley. Tribal groups, including the Nagas and Kukis, comprise 40% of the people and live mainly in the hill districts.
According to the Manipur government, internet services were suspended to stop anti-national and anti-social groups from using the internet to spread disinformation and false rumours on social media. The shutdown began in the Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts on April 28, 2023, and was extended to the entire state on May 3, 2023, the day the violence broke out. The ban has been extended several times since then, affecting both broadband and mobile internet services.
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