Broadband internet services also suspended in violence hit Manipur

Guwahati: After suspending mobile internet service, the Manipur government also suspended broadband services on Thursday.
An order of the Home Department said, “In continuation of State Home Department’s order dated 03-05-2023 even no. mobile data services within the territorial jurisdiction of Manipur State for a period of 5 (five) days.” Regarding the temporary suspension of, it is hereby ordered that in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 under Rule 2 In exercising options,Being satisfied that the above situation may lead to serious disturbance in the entire peaceful co-existence of the communities and maintenance of public order, it is hereby ordered to ban internet/data services including broadband viz. give Reliance Jio Fiber, Airtel Xtreme Black, BSNL FTTH etc. in the regional jurisdiction of Manipur state. All mobile service providers are directed to ensure immediate compliance of this order.
The order further said that it was issued to prevent any kind of disturbance of law and order in Manipur.

The suspension shall remain in force for a period of five days with immediate effect from the coming into force of this order of suspension.

Any person found guilty of violating the said orders shall be liable to legal action, read the order.
The central government had earlier invoked Article 355 of the Constitution in Manipur as the situation in the violence-hit state worsened on Thursday.

Article 355 of the Constitution deals with an emergency clause by which the Center can intervene and protect a state from external aggression or internal disturbances.
Additional central security forces have been deployed in riot-hit areas of Manipur.

A total of five companies of CRPF’s Rapid Action Force (RAF) were dispatched to Imphal on Thursday on the directives of the Union Home Ministry.

Army and Assam Rifles conducted a flag march in violence-hit areas.
Columns of the Army and Assam Rifles were brought in to control the situation on Wednesday night, said Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, Defense PRO Guwahati.

“The violence was contained by morning. About 4,000 people were sheltered in the Army and Assam Rifles Company operating bases and state government premises at various places. Flag marches are being carried out to bring the situation under control. Rawat said.

The Imphal-Churachandpur road has been secured by security forces to prevent further violence or disturbances in the area.