Manipur Mobile Internet Restored in Manipur after four months
GENERAL
Imphal: Manipuri breathed a sigh of relief as the state administration lifted the ban on internet on Saturday after 142 days indicating normalcy is limping back to the restive state.
A youth catching up with friends after internet restoration
The government clamped a total ban on mobile internet services since ethnic violence unfolded on May 3 as a means to curb the spread of fake news on social media and prevent escalation of violence in the State.
A couple of hours after chief minister N Biren Singh announced at a press conference that the ban would be lifted on Saturday the state home department issued an order lifting the ban around noon.
An order issued by Manipur commissioner home, T Ranjit Singh revoked all orders issued regarding suspension of mobile data services under Rules 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services, and ordered restoration of MMS over Mobile Service Providers/Mobile Internet/Data services” in the whole area of the state with effect from Saturday. The order followed a report from the director general of police informing that the “incidence of violence have comparatively lessened in the state and law and order has improved…” In view of the positive development, the police chief requested to relax the suspension of the internet, it added.
Minutes after the internet was restored, social media platforms were flooded with excitement and huge applause to the government by the people.
“Finally, we can breathe with ease now. You see the digital era; the internet has become like the air we breathe. Hence the more than 4 months internet ban was very suffocating. Thank God it is restored. Believe you me I got 2000 new friend requests on facebook after the internet was restored,” said Keisham Yaiphaba, an active social media user in Manipur.
Echoing similar sentiment Rakash Sapam of Thoubal district said that internet restoration will put the state back on track economically as all sectors - be it education, banking, commerce, personal wellbeing etc. requires connectivity
Young boys and girls in Imphal city as well as in Churachandpur districts sent jubilant messages to their friends and near and dear ones in the social media.
“With mobile internet restored, I feel alive again. Now I can catch up with the friends and families who are physically far away from me,” one of them said.