23 September, Imphal (Manipur), India (ANI): Months after the internet was shut down owing to the ethnic violence in the state, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday announced the resumption of mobile internet services for the general public starting today.
At a press conference in the state capital, Singh declared: “Internet services in Manipur will be available to the general public as of today.”
The Manipur administration had already said that internet connections would only be restored under certain conditions. Due to the violence the state was experiencing, mobile internet connections were still suspended.
According to a statement from the chief minister’s office, the Manipur government demanded illicit firearms be turned up within 15 days or residents will be subject to extensive security force searches.
The Manipur government said that it is prepared to adopt a sympathetic stance towards anyone presenting such illegal firearms during the next 15 (fifteen) days.
“At the end of the 15 days, Security Forces, both of the Centre and the State will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the State to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per the law,” the order states.
“The government also appeals to the people of the State to cooperate with both the Central and State Governments in restoring peace and normalcy in the State,” the statement said further.
Since May 3, Manipur has been plagued by violence as a result of demonstrations by the Kuki and Meitei tribes over the High Court’s directive requesting that the Meitei group be considered for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. Hilly land may only be purchased by STs.
The majority Meitei group, which resides in the Imphal Valley and the surrounding regions, applied for the ST designation in order to acquire property in the mountainous areas due to their growing population and rising need for land. (ANI)
