Manipur government suspends Internet services for five days in five valley districts
The Manipur government has ordered suspension of Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, in the territorial jurisdiction of five valley districts for five days with effect from 11.45 p.m. on Saturday (June 8, 2025), an official statement said.
Also Read | Centre to resume talks with Kuki-Zo insurgents, says camps near Meitei areas must be closed before renegotiating SoO pact
The districts include Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching.
The order issued by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), N. Ashok Kumar, said, 'In view of the prevailing law and order situation, especially in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, there is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages to incite the passion of the public, which might have serious repercussions on the law and order situation of the State.'
'The order is being passed ex-parte in view of the emergent situation. Any person found guilty of violating the order will be liable to face legal action,' it added.
Also Read | Ban on movement of Kukis in Naga areas suspended
The order followed widespread protests in Imphal East and Imphal West districts on Saturday night after the arrest of a leader of Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol.
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We have done what you're supposed to do during the floods. Now you're arresting us. We will kill ourselves." Kanan Singh is the main suspect in the attack on the house of Additional Superintendent of Police Moirangthem Amit and the subsequent kidnapping of the senior police officer in February 2024. The same month, he served as a head constable attached to a commando unit of the state police before the force suspended him over "dereliction of duty". Thereafter, Kanan Singh joined the AT. A curfew has been imposed and internet has been snapped for five days in five districts - Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, and Kakching. The protesters referred to the AT handing over firearms on the assurance of security guarantee of Meitei villages in the foothills in February after Manipur Governor AK Bhalla, under the President's rule, ordered everyone in the border state to hand over illegally held and looted firearms. 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Kuki civil society groups have also alleged the AT launched attacks on their villages along the inter-district borders after the first wave of clashes in May 2023, which forced the Kuki tribes to take up arms and form "village volunteers". Many AT members have been named in cases of police armoury lootings. While both sides call their armed individuals "volunteers", a similar feature is the weapons they use - AK and M series assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, crude and military grade mortars, high-end sniper rifles, surveillance drones, etc. Banned Meitei militant groups such as the PLA, KYKL and KCP that had become nearly extinct in Manipur for the last 10 years also returned from Myanmar after May 2023 and due to the junta's diminishing hold in areas where the few remaining Meitei militants camped. The United National Liberation Front (Pambei), or UNLF (P), is the only Meitei militant group that signed a SoO-like ceasefire with the Centre and the state government. 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Manipur cuts internet services in 5 districts as violent protests erupt after arrest of Meitei radical outfit leader Imphal: The Manipur Government on Saturday suspended Internet services, including mobile data, in five valley districts after violent protests in Imphal East and Imphal West districts following the reported arrest of a Meitei radical outfit 'Arambai Tenggol' leader, news agency IANS quoted officials as saying. The five affected districts are Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. 'In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State of Manipur especially in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching & Bishnupur districts districts of Manipur, there is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission serious of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have repercussions for the law and order situation in the State of Manipur, 'Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N Ashok Kumar said in an order. 'There is an imminent danger of loss of life and /or damage to public/private property, and wide spread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony, 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,' it added. The order states that Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, were temporarily suspended for five days in five districts of Manipur (Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur), starting at midnight on Saturday. Internet and mobile data service suspensions will not apply to individuals granted exemptions by the state government. The emergency order, issued without prior notice to affected parties, warns of legal consequences for anyone violating its terms. Protests broke out in some areas of Imphal on Saturday evening following the reported arrest of an Arambai Tenggol leader. 'To thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain peace and communal harmony and to prevent any loss of life or danger to public/private property, by it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, as Whats stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours, through various social media platform such WHATS App, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc, on various electronic equipment like tablet, computer, demonstrators, mobile phone etc. and sending bulk SMS, for facilitating and/or mobilization of mobs of agitators and arson/vandalism which can cause loss of life and/or damage to public/private property by indulging inand other types of violent activities,' the order added. 'Therefore, 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 peaceful co-existence and maintenance of public order, do hereby order suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services including VSAT and VPN Bishnupur services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching & districts of the State of Manipur for 5(five) days with effect from 11:45 P.M. of 07-06- 2025 except for those cases whereby State Government exempts and allows for whitelisting,' it added. (With inputs from agencies)
