Manipur: Government Extends Mobile Internet Ban in the State Until October 31

IMPHAL: The Manipur government has decided to extend the ban on mobile internet services in the state for an additional five days, with the ban now set to continue until October 31. This extension comes just one week after Chief Minister N Biren Singh had indicated that the government would lift the ban in the coming days.

The decision to prolong the mobile internet ban was made due to concerns that certain anti-social elements might exploit social media platforms to extensively share images, hate speech, and videos designed to incite public sentiments, potentially leading to adverse consequences for law and order, according to a government notification.

Commissioner (home) T. Ranjit Singh issued the notification, which highlighted reports received from the Director General of Police (DGP) on October 25. The DGP's report indicated ongoing incidents of violence, including confrontations between the public and security forces, attempts to gather at elected members' residences, and civil protests outside police stations.

"To counteract the activities of anti-nationals and anti-social elements, maintain peace and communal harmony, and prevent any loss of life, it has become necessary to implement measures to preserve law and order in the public interest by curbing the dissemination of disinformation and rumors through social media platforms," the notification emphasized.

The ban on mobile internet services was originally imposed on May 3 following violent incidents. Although it was restored on September 23, it had to be reinstated on September 26 when students clashed with security forces after images of the bodies of two missing youths surfaced, triggering renewed unrest.

Manipur Education Minister Thounaojam Basantakumar Singh said on Thursday that of 15,915 displaced students staying in 347 relief camps in the ethnic violence-hit state, 15,641 have been allied and re-admitted to nearby schools. The Minister said that when the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, schools were shut for summer vacation and the closure of schools later extended owing to the deteriorating law and order situation.

Also Read: Manipur: Over 98% displaced students staying in 347 relief camps re-admitted to nearby schools

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