Internet shutdown

3 May 2023

In power

BJP — Manipur

Acted

State government, Manipur

By an order of the Commissioner (Home) dated 3 May 2023, mobile data was suspended statewide for five days, and an order of 4 May extended the suspension to all internet services including broadband and VSAT, according to the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF). The orders were renewed every five days and cited the spread of disinformation and false rumours through social media. In Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts internet had been suspended earlier: from 27 April according to IFF, which cites an order of that date, and from 28 April according to SFLC.in. On 7 July the Manipur High Court referred to "the complete ban imposed by the State Government on providing internet service in the State". Leased-line and fibre broadband were partly restored on 25 July, and the statewide suspension was lifted on 23 September, according to SFLC.in. On 26 September the Home Department again suspended mobile data and VPN services for five days; The Wire reported that the order cited disinformation, false rumours and the mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators. SFLC.in reported that the suspension was extended in five-day blocks and relaxed on 3 December 2023 except in areas the state described as still volatile. Counts of the length of the first shutdown differ (see figures). [3][2][1][4]

• 83 days of internet suspension before broadband was partly restored on 25 July 2023, said SFLC.in [1]
• 142 days of statewide internet suspension from 3 May to 23 September 2023, said SFLC.in [1]
• 143 days of statewide internet suspension from 3 May to 23 September 2023, said The Wire [4]

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