Manipur Government Extends Internet Suspension in Churachandpur District for Five More Days

Imphal, February 26: Considering the prevailing law and order situation, the Manipur government has extended internet suspension, including mobile data services, in Churachandpur district for another five days till March 2, officials said on Monday. Joint Secretary, Home, Mayengbam Veto Singh, in an order, said that the state government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation in Churachandpur, decided to continue suspension of internet service, mobile data services and internet/data services through VPN in the whole revenue jurisdiction of the district.

Mobile service providers were also directed to ensure compliance of the order, the order said. The state government on February 16 ordered temporary suspension of internet services in Churachandpur or five days after a mob of 800 to 1,000 people stormed into the office complexes of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, vandalised and torched the government properties, and damaged vital documents. Manipur Violence: Situation Tense, Internet Suspended After Riots in Churachandpur As Cop Suspended Over Video With Armed Men

Two persons were killed and several injured in a clash with security forces when the mob barged into the district office complex to protest the suspension of a head constable of Manipur Police after a purported video of the constable with armed miscreants went viral on social media. An official statement said that twelve trucks and buses, carrying material for relief camps in Churachandpur Districts, parked in the office complex were also burnt.

The mob also torched the official residence of the Deputy Commissionerand even the National flag is reported to have been disrespected in the incident. The statement said that post the incident, the ‘Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum' (ITLF), which claims to be the apex body of all tribal organisations of Kuki-Zo Community, issued several press release/notices giving direct threats against the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Churachandpur, and even giving an ultimatum to them to leave the district, and close down the government offices. Manipur Violence: Mob Attempts to Storm SP Office in Churachandpur, Internet Suspended

The state government of Manipur, since May 3 last year, through the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police of the districts have been working tirelessly for the welfare of the displaced persons in all the districts, it added. Meanwhile, the ITLF in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday sought his intervention to restore internet services and ration to relief centres in Churachandpur district.