IMPHAL — The Manipur government as a precautionary measure
on Wednesday extended the suspension of mobile internet and data services for
two more days in nine districts including the trouble-torn Jiribam district,
officials said.
Officials of the Home Department said that though except for
a person missing on Monday from Kangpokpi district, no major incident was
reported from any of the nine districts since November 18, the suspension of
mobile internet and data services has been extended for two more days as a
preventative measure.
Commissioner, Home, N. Ashok Kumar, in his order, said:
"In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the state, on the
apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively
for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the
passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and
order situation."
"... as a preventive measure, the state government has
imposed a temporary suspension of mobile internet and mobile data services,"
the order said.
In nine districts, the suspension of mobile internet and
data services would be effective till 5.15 p.m. on November 29.
The nine districts, comprising both the valley and hills,
where the suspension of mobile internet and data services were enforced are
Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur,
Jiribam, and Pherzawl.
After the widespread violence and attacks by mobs started on
November 16 in valley districts, including Imphal East and Imphal West,
following the recovery of six bodies of missing three children and three women
in Jiribam district on November 15 and 16, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered
the suspension of mobile internet and data services in these districts for two
days.
Since then the suspension of mobile internet and data services
was extended periodically.
Meanwhile, with no major incident reported from any of the
districts in Manipur, the Home Department earlier conditionally lifted the
suspension on broadband services (fixed line) considering the hardships faced
by students, employees, common people, healthcare facilities, educational institutions
and other offices.
However, the Manipur government on Tuesday closed all the
educational institutions including schools and universities in six curfew-bound
districts for an indefinite period.
Director of Education (Schools) L. Nandakumar Singh and
Joint Secretary (Higher and Technical Education Department), Daryal Juli Anal
in separate orders asked the zonal and district authorities to take appropriate
steps to close all the government, private, and government-aided educational
institutions including colleges and universities until further orders.
An official of the Education Department said that the
decision of the closure of the schools and other educational institutions was
taken in consultation with the Home Department.
He said that considering the safety of the students,
teachers and non-teaching staff, all the educational institutions would remain
closed for an indefinite period in six districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East,
Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching and Jiribam.
