Priya Aditi
Tuesday, the Manipur government partially lifts the internet prohibition in the troubled state by allowing broadband service under certain conditions while maintaining the ban on mobile internet. In an order dated 25 July, the state government announced that a portion of the internet prohibition would be lifted due to the problems it caused for citizens, including the closure of offices, educational institutions, health facilities, and online booking of cooking gas, among others.
The home office also stipulated conditions for the lifting of the prohibition on broadband service, such as the blocking of social media websites and VPNs at the local level.
“Connection will only be through a static IP address, and the subscriber shall not accept any other connection than those currently permitted,” the order stated, adding that the internet service provider would be held liable for noncompliance.
One of the terms and conditions stated, “No WiFi/Hotspots shall be permitted from any routers or systems using the connection at any cost by the subscriber concerned.”
According to the directive, Internet subscribers must remove any existing VPN software from their systems and refrain from installing any new VPN software or apps.
Before providing an Internet connection to a subscriber, service providers are required to procure an undertaking in the prescribed format.
The government extended the ban on mobile internet services throughout the entire state, stating that “effective control and regulatory mechanism for Mobile data service is not technically feasible, and there are still concerns about the spread of disinformation and false rumours via various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.”
Also read this:At Jharkhand protest against Manipur violence, Adivasi outfits decry ‘politics of silence, polarisation’
Violence first erupted in the state on May 3, following the organisation of a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. More than 150 people have perished and several hundred have been injured, in addition to the thousands who have sought refuge in relief camps.
