The Manipur government on Sunday extended the suspension of mobile internet and data services, including VPN access, in five districts of the state affected by ethnic violence for another two days.
Services were suspended and a curfew was imposed in parts of the state after two people were killed and 29 others injured on Tuesday when security forces opened fire on a crowd of people who stormed a paramilitary camp in Bishnupur. The mob was protesting the killing of a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister in an explosion.
Protests were held in five regions after new violence broke out. Three more civilians have been killed since then. A 10-hour curfew from 5 am to 3 pm was relaxed in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kakching and Thoubal on Sunday.
The state home department said restrictions will continue in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.
She added that the decision was taken after reviewing the situation and evaluating the necessity of continuing preventive measures to maintain public order.
Officials expressed concern that the potential spread of misinformation and rumors through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and X could mobilize mobs and lead to violence, arson or property damage.
They added that effectively monitoring mobile data services remains a challenge, necessitating continued restrictions.
The state government announced a three-day suspension of internet services on Tuesday, citing the “fluctuating law and order situation.” On Wednesday, broadband services, specifically leased Internet lines and fiber-to-the-home connections, were conditionally restored. Restrictions on mobile Internet continued.
The suspension of mobile internet and data services was extended for two days on Friday.
Ethnic violence in Manipur has claimed at least 260 lives and displaced about 60,000 people since May 2023. It first began among the Meitei and Kuki communities and has since involved almost all groups. The Meitei, who are mostly Hindus, live largely in the plains of the Imphal Valley, while the Kuki people, who are mostly Christians, live in the hills.
The Métis and Kukis withdrew to their strongholds after the ethnic violence began. Chief Minister Y Kemchand Singh stressed that there are no buffer zones in the state, but the government has identified some sensitive areas.
