Mobile internet services in Manipur are now made available only to a select-few while the general citizens still await lifting of the ban, which was imposed since May 3.
The Manipur government on August 28 ordered the lifting of the ban on mobile internet in the second phase, providing a whitelist of mobile numbers for internet availability.
The government order stated that the second phase of whitelisting was in pursuance of a high court order dated August 10.
According to the order by T Ranjit Singh, commissioner (home), the mobile numbers whitelisted for internet data are that of governor of Manipur, secretary to governor and officers/officials recommended by governor’s secretariat; chief minister and secretary to chief minister, legal advisor to chief minister and officers/officials recommended by chief minister’s secretariat.
It also includes that of state assembly speaker, secretary of the legislative assembly and officers/officials recommended by Manipur legislative assembly secretariat. The whitelist also includes chief justice, judges and officers/officials recommended by the high court of Manipur and all cabinet ministers of the state.
The list also includes director and medical superintendent of RIMS/JNIMS, VCs of state universities, members of expert committee, DGP and officers of security agencies recommended by the army/Assam Rifles upto commandant level.
Internet services were severely curbed after violence hit the Northeast state on May 3. Broadband services were resumed conditionally in a “liberalized manner” from July 25. However, mobile internet services remained banned.
