Imphal, May 4: Following the escalation in ethnic violence in the State on Thursday, Manipur Government has suspended broadband internet in the state for 5 days, a day after it suspended mobile internet.
The largescale violence has completely thrown the state out into turmoil, with terrifying visuals coming out from the state as the Meitei and Kuki tribals fight it out over the Meiteis ST status demand, and recent eviction of tribals settlements from reserved and protected forests by the State government in hill districts.
In the order passed on Thursday evening, Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, H. Gyan Prakash said: “In continuation of State Home Department’s order of even number dated 03-05-2023 regarding temporary suspension of mobile data services in the territorial jurisdiction of Manipur State for a period of 5(five) days, it is hereby ordered that due to prevailing law and order situation in the State and in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, having satisfied that the above situation is likely to cause serious disturbances to the entire peaceful co-existence of the communities and maintenance of public order, do hereby order to bar internet/data services including broadband viz. Reliance Jio Fiber, Airtel Xtreme Black, BSNL FTTH etc. in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur. All Mobile Service providers are hereby directed to ensure compliance of this order immediately.”
Scores of people have been injured in the violence and many houses and buildings have been damaged. Many churches and temples have also been burnt as the two sides fight. Reportedly, many have been killed but the numbers are not available, neither are authorities acknowledging the same but the visuals say otherwise.
Govt has deployed the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and RAF (Rapid Action Force) specialising in riot control into action to control the law and order situation.
