Ukhrul: In contrast to around 29 mobile towers operating and in function in Senapati district Headquarters, so far only 2 mobile towers in Kamjong district Headquarters and only 3 mobile towers in Ukhrul district Headquarters are operationalised.
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“The State Government had already opened few mobile towers in few district headquarters which has not been affected by the violence on trial basis and as per direction of High Court of Manipur’s order dated November 6, 2023 as passed in PIL No. 25 of 2023 and other related cases and after proper examination/assessment of the prevailing law and order situation in the State. The State Government is considering to open and operationalise some more mobile towers in the other district headquarters on trial basis, if law and order situation permits” stated an order dated November 13, 2023 issued by the Home Department, Manipur.
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On November 5, 2023, the Home Department of Manipur had also issued an order that “…on trial basis in those district headquarters which has not been affected by the violence due to the current law and order crisis in the State. If found feasible, shall be replicated to other areas where the law and order situation have improved.”
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Accordingly on November 6, 2023, 3 mobile towers in Ukhrul district Headquarters were opened and set to operation. The 3 mobile towers opened are located at Mini Secretariat Complex, Phungreitang and 7th Finance Colony.
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The operationalised mobile towers in Ukhrul district Headquarters consist of two normal towers and one ULS Tower. The three towers combined generating capacity is around 3000 GB per day for a population of more than 60000. This is also the reason why the populace of Ukhrul district Headquarters have been experiencing slow speed of internet. The choice of opening mobile towers is not in the hands of the service providers. However, it is decided by the State Government. The three operationalised towers are closely situated within a radius of 300 meter distance. This also becomes another reason for people of Ukhrul district Headquarters from other colonies to overcrowd Phungreitang area for browsing internet.
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Approximately, there are 15-20 mobile towers in Ukhrul district Headquarters. The opening of mobile towers should be considered looking at the topography. The stretch of Ukhrul district Headquarters from Kazipphung Hungpung to Meizailung Hunphun is about 10 km. However, the opening of mobile towers at Mini Secretariat, Phungreitang and 7th Finance Colony, confined to a close area has denied the internet service to majority of the populace of Ukhrul.
“On November 14, 2023, two mobile towers were opened and made operationalised at Kamjong District Headquarters. Whereas, in the district headquarters of Senapati, on 6 November 2023, 10 towers were opened and made operationalised and another 19 towers were opened and made operationalised on 14 November 2023. This disparity in opening of mobile towers is uncalled for and amounts to step motherly treatment”, stated Somipam Vashum, President of Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL).
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Raphei Katamnao Long-the apex student body of northern part of Ukhrul district have appealed the government to operationalise mobile internet service in the whole area of Ukhrul district Headquarters and Raphei area. “Ukhrul district Headquarters and Raphei area is very peaceful and unaffected from the ongoing crisis” added Somipam Vashum.
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