Manipur Partially Lifts Internet Ban, Allows Conditional Resumption Of Broadband Services

The Manipur government on Tuesday lifted the internet ban partially and allowed for the conditional resumption of broadband internet services. 

The internet services were banned in Manipur nearly three months back after ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3 between the Meitei and tribal communities. Internet was suspended shortly after the violence began. Over 160 people have been killed in the violence so far and thousands have been displaced. Houses, religious places, public infrastructure, and houses of lawmakers and politicians have been attacked. 

While the Manipur government announced the lifting of internet ban "conditionally in a liberalised manner", mobile internet and social media platforms remain banned.

Conditions for restarting internet services in Manipur

The Manipur government has not restarted all internet services. Only broadband internet service is being allowed "conditionally in a liberalised manner".

As of now, mobile internet services and social media platforms remain banned in Manipur. 

"Connection will be only through static IP and that the subscriber concerned shall not accept any other connection other than allowed for the time being [TSP/ISP shall be held responsible for non-compliance of this condition]...No Wifi Hotspots shall be allowed from any of the routers and systems using the connection at any cost by the subscriber concerned," said the Manipur government order.

Some of the other conditions for the resumption of internet services are:

• Virtual private networks (VPNs) will be blocked. VPNs allow users to use the internet anonymously and bypass geographic restrictions on websites. 
• Any existing VPN software have to be removed and no new VPN software will be installed on systems.
• Subscribers will have to obtain an undertaking before using any internet connection.
• Physical monitoring for enforcement purposes would have to be allowed. 

The order said that mobile internet services remain suspended and restoration is not feasible at the moment as "there are still apprehensions that the spread of disinformation and false rumours, through various social media platform such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc" could facilitate actions that can cause violence leading to loss of property or life. 

Internet ban affected common people: Manipur government 

In its order, the Manipur government acknowledged that the internet ban led to difficulties for the common people. 

The order said that several everyday essential services were halted and professional and educational activities too were affected by the ban. 

The internet ban affected work from home of professionals, chartered accountant (CA) firms, health services, education, gas-booking, etc., according to the government order. 

The order also noted that the state police chief has informed that Department of Home that "there are still reports of incidents of violence, attacking and arson of houses and premises including exchange of firing".