On Thursday, the Manipur government declared a fractional lifting of the web boycott in the valley, permitting the resumption of broadband administrations beneath exacting conditions.The internet suspension had been imposed in five valley districts on Tuesday following heightened student protests.
The decision to partially restore internet services came after a detailed review of the suspension, which included mobile data, Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands, and VPN services. The government had earlier imposed the restrictions to address concerns about public safety and the spread of misinformation.
The state government stated that the prolonged internet shutdown had caused significant disruption across various sectors, including education, healthcare, legal services, and day-to-day citizen needs such as mobile recharges and LPG bookings. The restoration of services, however, will be limited to specific broadband connections, such as Internet Leased Line (ILL) and Fiber to the Home (FTTH), due to the hardships faced by the public.
Stringent Conditions for Broadband Restoration
To prevent the misuse of the restored internet services, the government has imposed strict regulations. Broadband connections will only be allowed through static IP addresses, and users are prohibited from setting up Wi-Fi networks or hotspots. Additionally, Media Access Control (MAC) binding must be enforced, and access to social media websites and VPNs will be blocked at the local level.
Internet subscribers are required to remove any existing VPN software from their systems and are barred from installing new ones. The government has also mandated that users must change their login IDs and passwords daily. Physical monitoring will be conducted to ensure compliance, and any violations will result in legal consequences.
Legal Accountability for Violations
The government has issued a stern warning, stating that violators of these conditions will face legal action. Additionally, subscribers will be held accountable for any unauthorized use of Wi-Fi or hotspots by secondary users, further emphasizing the importance of adhering to the new guidelines.
Despite the partial restoration of internet services, Manipur has witnessed fresh violence in recent days. Reports indicate that drones and missiles were used in recent attacks, adding to the tension in the state.
Read: Manipur is Burning Again (But does anyone really care?)
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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