Internet ban to be lifted in Manipur from today: CM Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Saturday that internet services will be reinstated in the state from today.

Internet services were suspended in the state on May 3 after tribal groups broke into a clash in the northeastern state. However, in July, the Manipur government lifted the suspension on broadband internet conditionally in a “liberalised manner”, nearly three months after it was banned. Mobile internet remained suspended, the state home department said in a notification. Addressing a press conference here, Singh said, “The government had suspended mobile internet services on May 3 to check the spread of fake news, propaganda and hate speech. However, with the improvement of the situation, mobile internet services will be restored across the state from today.” Meanwhile, Fresh clashes broke out between security forces and protesters in certain pockets of Imphal West on Friday night after one of the five defence volunteers released on bail by a special court was re-arrested by a central security agency, officials said. There was, however, no official confirmation about the status of the re-arrested youth, officials added. On Thursday, the state witnessed widespread clashes between security forces and protesters after demonstrators attempted to storm police stations as part of “court arrest agitation” demanding the unconditional release of the five village defence volunteers. With inputs from PTI