• Manipur violence: Internet services to be restored today

    North East
    Manipur violence: Internet services to be restored today

    Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Saturday, September 23, that internet services would be...

    Digital Desk: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Saturday, September 23, that internet services would be restored in the violence-hit state after months of suspension. This decision comes after a prolonged period of unrest and violence stemming from ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities in the state.


    The suspension of internet services in Manipur was implemented as a precautionary measure on May 3, following the outbreak of ethnic clashes that resulted in continuous incidents of arson and violence. The suspension was subsequently extended on multiple occasions, causing inconvenience to the residents of the state.


    During a press conference addressing the issue of internet restoration, Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed his satisfaction in informing the people of Manipur that internet services would resume from Saturday onwards. This announcement is expected to bring relief to the residents, who have faced considerable disruptions to communication and online services during this period.


    Despite the government's efforts to maintain peace and stability in the state, fresh clashes were reported in specific areas of Imphal West on Friday, September 22. These clashes erupted following the re-arrest of one of the five defense volunteers who had been released on bail earlier in the day by an Imphal special court. As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding the status of the re-arrested individual.


    Moirangthem Anand, a former member of the banned People's Liberation Army, was among those re-arrested, leaving his family distressed and seeking answers. Anand's wife expressed her frustration, stating, "I have been told by the police that my husband has been arrested in connection with a previous case that is more than a decade old."


    In another legal development, the Manipur government submitted a status report to the Supreme Court regarding the recovery of arms from various sources in the violence-affected state. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing both the Center and the Manipur government, informed the court that the status report was intended for the judges' review.


    Additionally, the Supreme Court addressed the demand for updates on the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in cases involving sexual violence against women and children. The bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, stated that they had appointed seasoned IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar to supervise the investigation. The bench emphasized allowing some time for the officer to take charge and monitor the situation before seeking a status report.


    The restoration of internet services in Manipur is a promising step toward normalcy and connectivity for the state's residents, and it is hoped that it will contribute to stability and peace in the region. The ongoing legal proceedings and investigations continue to be closely monitored as the state grapples with the aftermath of the ethnic clashes.