Internet ban extended till October 21 in violence-hit Manipur

Digital Desk: The Manipur government has extended the state's ban on internet services till October 21 in the wake of recent violence. According to the state government, the ban has been extended in an effort to "thwart actions of anti-social forces and to ensure peace and harmony as well as law and order in Manipur."

The state government also cited the DGP Manipur Police's expressed concerns following violent incidents, such as clashes between the general public and security forces, mob attacks on elected officials' homes, and civil unrest at police stations, in an official notification on Monday.

"There is an imminent danger of loss of life/or damage to public/private property, and widespread disturbances to public tranquillity...as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours, which might be transmitted/ circulated to the public through social media/messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle services," the government order said.

The notification added that the ban is in effect till 7:45 p.m. on October 21 and said that internet services can may fuel the prevailing violence in Manipur.

"...(the internet services) is likely to cause serious disturbances to the peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order," the state government's order said.

Violence hit Manipur

Since violence occurred on May 3 in response to a "Tribal Solidarity March" staged in the hill areas of Manipur to oppose the Meitei community's quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation, more than 180 people have been killed and several hundred injured.

On September 26, however, it was once more banned following public unrest in Imphal Valley caused by images of the remains of two missing students that had gone viral. The ban on broadband since May 5 was, however, partially lifted in mid-July.

Mobile internet was banned after violence broke out in the state on May 3. Following a declaration by the chief minister, N Biren Singh, it was restored on September 23.

Meiteis make up around 53% of the state's population and are primarily found in the Imphal Valley. 40% of the population are tribal people, largely from the hill districts, including the Nagas and Kukis.