After students’ stir, Manipur govt reimpose internet ban

way2barak, Sep 27: Four days after the withdrawal of internet ban in the strife-torn Manipur, the state government on Tuesday once again imposed ban on the internet for five days till October 1 following massive students’ agitation on Tuesday to protests against the killing of two young students by unidentified armed assailants, officials said.

Manipur Home Department’s Joint Secretary Mayengbam Veto Singh in a notification said that in view of the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur, the state government views very seriously with utmost sensitivity the reported spread of disinformation, false rumours and other types of violent activities through various social media platform such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. on electronic equipments like tablet, computer, mobile phone etc and sending bulk SMS likely facilitating and/or mobilization of mobs of agitators and demonstrators, which may cause loss of life and/or damage to public/private property or aggravates the law and order situation in the state.

“The State Government decides to suspend/curb the mobile internet data services, Internet/data services through VPN in the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Manipur for five days with immediate effect till 7.45 p.m. of October 1,” it said.

The notification said that any person found guilty for violation of the order will be liable for legal action.

On Saturday, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced the lifting of internet ban in the strife-torn state.

Responding to the appeal from all sections of people and various organisations, the state government following the Manipur High Court order had partially lifted the ban earlier.

Internet services were banned immediately after the ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3 and were periodically extended considering the prevailing law and order situation.

The police said that over 34 students were injured after the agitating students clashed with the security forces, who prevented them from marching towards Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s bungalow.

The security forces used tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the agitating students.

The injured students have been admitted to various hospitals for treatment.

At least 34 students, including girls, were injured after hundreds of students took to the streets in Imphal on Tuesday to protest against the killing of two young students by unidentified murderers.