Manipur violence: The Manipur government has imposed a five-day suspension of internet and mobile data services—including VSAT and VPN access—in five districts starting 11:45 AM on June 7. The affected districts are Thoubal, Imphal West, Kakching, Bishnupur, and Imphal East.
The move follows growing concerns over the misuse of social media and messaging platforms by anti-social elements to spread misinformation, inflammatory content, and hate speech—threatening public peace and law and order.
Manipur | In view of the prevailing law and order situation, internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, have been suspended in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts of Manipur for 5 days with effect from 11.45 PM, June 7 pic.twitter.com/L95SoHjXOf
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2025
Full curfew announced in Bhishnupur
The Bishnupur district administration has imposed a full curfew to stop further escalation. The late-night protest in Imphal valley has been reported because of the detention of a leader from the Meitei group, Aram Tenggol. The unrest has resulted in a tense situation in the state capital on Saturday night and is continuing into Sunday morning. The protesters were seen burning tyres and old furniture pieces in Uripok and Kawkeithel, as per PTI report.
Manipur Govt’s official order details
In an official order issued by the Home Department, Commissioner-cum-Secretary N. Ashok Kumar stated: “There is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for the 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 in the State of Manipur.” The temporary internet ban is intended to prevent the escalation of unrest by restricting the spread of provocative content that could inflame tensions in the region. Officials noted that the measure is preventive and in the interest of maintaining public order.
The government referenced potential threats to life and property, cautioning that misinformation and inflammatory content shared on SMS, social media, and other digital mediums could hamper communal harmony. These can also incite violence. The order also underlined an “imminent danger of loss of life and /or damage to public/private property” because of such online activities.
Suspension objective is to curtail misinformation
The order also highlighted the need to stop the spread of rumours that could result in the gathering of mobs and conducting acts of vandalism. “It has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours…for facilitating and/or mobilisation of mobs of agitators,” the order mentioned.
The suspension has been implemented under Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Service (Public Emergency of Public Safety) Rules, 2017. As per norms, most of the internet services will be blocked, exemptions may be imposed in some special cases as sanctioned by the state government.
The government also added that the order will be produced through local media, and all violators will be subjected to legal action.