The Manipur government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services in nine districts of the state till December 5, citing ongoing security concerns.
The suspension, which includes mobile data services, VSATs, and VPN services, has been in effect since November 16 following violent clashes in the region. The suspension now covers Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl, and Jiribam, continuing until 5.15 pm on December 5.
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“The state government has reviewed the law and order situation in the state with the availability of security forces, response system and feasibility inputs from different agencies and has decided to resume traffic of public vehicles with adequate security deployment,” Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi said in an order, as PTI reported.
Inter-district public transport resumed
Simultaneously, the state government has decided to resume inter-district public transport under tight security from Wednesday. This marks the second attempt in 19 months to restore bus services between Imphal and the hill districts, which have been disrupted due to ethnic violence between Meitei communities in the valley and Kuki-Zo groups in the hills.
The resumption of services will include routes from Imphal to Senapati via Kangpokpi and from Imphal to Churachandpur via Bishnupur, with public transport operating during fixed hours and under heavy security.
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The “movement will be restricted to fixed hours only and general public desirous of joining the route are informed to contact respective offices of the Deputy Commissioners,” the order said.
“Anybody without exemption, if involved in acts which disturb movement of vehicles, will be sternly dealt with and prosecuted as per relevant laws of the land,” the order added.
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The government has urged the public to cooperate with the administration and refrain from violent actions, with a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt transport.
Manipur has witnessed severe ethnic violence since May 2023, with over 250 people killed and thousands displaced. Previous attempts to restart public transport, including last December, faced setbacks as protests and roadblocks hindered the movement of buses.