The Internet Ban On Manipur Will Lift Today, Says CM N Biren Singh (image @NBirenSingh)
N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur declared the internet ban imposed on the state will be lifted today, Saturday. While addressing a press conference in Imphal, Mr. Singh stated that the ban was imposed as a precautionary method to terminate the spreading of rumours, photos and videos which might affect the law and order of the state.
“As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours and videos, photos and messages, which affect the law and order situation of the state, the state government imposed a ban on the internet. But from today onwards the internet ban will be lifted”, said Mr. Singh.
Following a terrific ethnic violence, the Manipur government had imposed ban on mobile data service and broadband service in the state on May 3. The ban has continued on till it was partially lifted in June 27 allowing broadband service.
The Manipur government has issued a show-cause notice against Airtel for “data leakage” in Churachandpur and adjoining Bishnupur district recently, as per report. Mr. Singh informed about the suspension of two officials regarding this.
While the internet ban is lifted, Imphal East and Imphal West district will be under curfew . Earlier, the district authorities announced the relaxation of curfew from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm starting from Saturday. But the relaxation was called off as clashes erupted between police and protesters over the re-arrest of one of the village defence volunteer while four others were released by a special court on Friday.
As per the report, the state has lost total of 5,668 arms and only 1,329 were recovered. On Friday, the government asked locals to surrender the weapons within 15 days starting from September 22 after which a “comprehensive search operations by the security forces” will take place.
In an official statement issued by the Chief Ministers office read that, “At the end of the 15 days, security forces, both the central and state will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the state to recover such weapons, and persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per law”. It is also stated that the government will take “considerate view of the persons submitting such illegal weapons within 15 days”.
