Imphal: The Manipur High Court has directed the State authorities to provide limited internet services to the public. Manipur government had extended internet ban until June 20; a record 48 [by June 20] days of internet ban.
The Manipur High Court order was passed by Justices Ahanthem Bimol Singh and A Guneswar Sharma in as many as three Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and a Writ Petition (WP) seeking the restoration of internet services in Manipur. The order directed the government to provide limited internet service in designated places.
The Government of Manpur has been effectively banning internet services since May 4. In parts of sensitive areas in Manipur internet was snapped from May 3 evening after fierce violence erupted between the Kuki-Zo tribals and Meetei non-tribals.
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The court order of June 16 said, “Taking into consideration the hardship faced by the public specially with regard to the ongoing admission process of the students in the State and to enable the public for carrying out their urgent and essential services, the State authorities are directed to provide limited internet service to the public in some designated places under the controlled of the State authorities.”Â
In a complaint petition filed through Human Rights Commissions Network by one Kamminthang Hangshing on May 15 from Aizwal, Mizoram on behalf of the people of Churachanpur District, Manipur against the internet ban in Churachandpur, Kamminthang had complained that while internet services was shut down in Churachandpur, the same was not shut in Imphal. The complainant addressed the Commission that the crisis took place in both Churachandpur and Imphal.
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