Manipur Govt suspends internet in five districts for 5 days amid student agitation

The Manipur government has suspended internet services in five districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching, for five days. The development came amid rising tensions and ongoing student protests in the state. According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the internet shutdown will remain in place until September 15.

The Home Department, government of Manipur released an order to “curb/temporarily suspend internet and mobile data services including Lease Lines, VSATs, Broadbands and VPN services” in the state for five days from Tuesday (September 10) 3 pm to Sunday (September 15, 2024) 3 pm.

The order stated that the order



is justified by satisfying conditions like an apprehension of “some anti-social elements” using social media to share images, hate speech and hate video messages to incite “the passions of the public”.

It also said that inflammatory material and false rumours might be shared through social media, SMS and dongle services, which could lead to an “imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public/private property, and widespread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony.”

Furthermore, education authorities announced that all government, aided, and private schools and colleges in Manipur will remain closed on September 11 and 12, 2024.