Manipur HC partially lifts internet ban in the state; asks govt to consider mobile internet with safeguards

Amid raging violence, the Manipur High Court on Saturday partially lifted the internet ban in the state. The high court also asked the Manipur government to carry out physical trials and check the feasibility of allowing internet on mobile phones while ensuring the security of “life and property of citizens." The court will hear the matter on 25 July and has asked for a detailed report from the Manipur government.

“In the case of Fibre To The Home (FTTH) connections, internet service can be provided by the home department on a case to case basis,” a bench of Justice A Bimol and Justice A Guneshwor Sharma said after hearing multiple PILs on the internet ban. The bench added that during its consideration the Manipur government must ensure the compliance of the safeguards suggested by the committee.

Earlier, a 12-member expert committee had informed the high court that internet can be provided to the people of Manipur through broadband connections, either through Internet Leased Line (ILL) or FTTH by ensuring "static IP, banning of Wifi/Hotspots from any of the routers or system, blocking of social media websites and VPNs at the local level, removal of VPN software from the system and prohibiting the installation of new software by any user and enforcing physical monitoring by the concerned authority/officials."

Manipur govt asked authorities to lift internet ban

Manipur government had asked higher authorities to consider "lifting the ban on ILL with a capping of maximum speed @10 MBPS and subject to undertaking obtained from intended/existing subscribers for not indulging in illegal spreading and posting of rumors...which may aggravate the ongoing law and order crisis."

"In the event of any violation, he or she shall be liable to be punished as per provisions of relevant laws..and the subscriber shall be fixed personally responsible for any leakage/activities done by the secondary user of internet through Wifi or hotspot," the government said.

The reconsideration of the ban on the internet comes as a mob of 150 to 200 people set two vehicles on fire near the Kangla Fort in the capital city of Imphal. The witnesses claimed that the mob also tried to snatch weapons from the police which forced them to open fire.

(With inputs from PTI)