By – Prakarsh Kastwar
N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, declared on Saturday that the state’s internet censorship will end as of this morning.
N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, declared on Saturday that the state’s internet censorship will end as of this morning. After the initial outbreak of the ethnic hostilities on May 3, the state government had imposed a restriction on internet services in various parts of the conflict-torn state. Later, the government partially repealed the prohibition, allowing broadband services to operate under specific restrictions.
“The state administration put a restriction on the internet as a preventative step to stop the spread of rumors and films, images, and messages that could have an impact on the state’s law and order situation. The internet restriction, however, would be lifted starting today, Singh announced at a press conference in Imphal.
The announcement comes a day after the government urged everyone in the state to hand over any illegal firearms they may be holding within 15 days of September 22.
The government stated in a press release on Friday night that it is prepared to consider those surrendering such unlawful firearms within these 15 days.
“At the end of the 15 days, security forces, both the central and state, will undertake a strong and comprehensive search operation all over the state to recover such weapons, and all persons associated with any illegal weapons will be dealt with severely, as per law,” according to the announcement.
Extortion, threats, and kidnappings carried out by criminals or organizations armed with illegal firearms have been reported. The state government will take harsh action against these miscreants/groups in any region of the state because this is a serious concern.
To date, 175 people have died as a result of the ethnic strife, and many more have been maimed or forced to flee their homes. During the four-month crisis, there were 5,172 cases of arson, including the burning and vandalization of 4,786 homes and 386 places of worship. 5,668 weapons have been lost from all throughout the state. Security personnel have so far been successful in recovering 1,329 weapons.