IMPHAL: Four districts of Manipur will soon be able to browse internet on their mobile phones as the government has decided to restore the services on “trial basis” in the next few days.
Informing about this development, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, while addressing a foundation stone-laying programme at Ukhrul recently, said that mobile internet will be restored in Chandel, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati districts.
“The government has initiated the activation of mobile towers on a trial basis in the mentioned districts headquarters as they are not directly affected by the ongoing violence,” Vashum was quoted as saying by a local online news publication.
Clarifying the delay in restoration of the services in these districts, the Minister cited unavailability of technicians, informing that as majority of them belong to the valley, they are not currently available for work following the conflict.
ALSO READ Manipur CM hints at restoration of mobile internet in next 4-5 days
Earlier on November 6, a handful of mobile towers at a few selected places were activated at Ukhrul headquarters and people were reported to have regained access to the services.
Reports further suggests that the government’s move is in response to the pressure exerted by some Naga civic bodies to restore mobile internet in areas that are not affected by the ongoing ethnic strife in the state.
Previously on October 17, the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) had issued an ultimatum to the government to restore the services in the “unaffected” districts across the state.
In a press statement, the ANSAM had demanded the immediate lifting of the internet ban, threatening various forms of protests if connectivity isn’t restored.
Meanwhile, Raphei Katamnao Long, a student body of the district, has appealed to the government to operationalise mobile internet service in the area of Chingai sub-division, Jessami sub-division and part of Ukhrul sub-division under Raphei.
RKL president Somipam Vashum, in a press release, claimed Raphei area to be “very peaceful and unaffected by the ongoing crisis”.
