Mobile Internet Services Restored in Manipur After 143 Days, Students, Relief Workers and Businessmen Relieved
The ban had adversely impacted their activities, including education, relief work and business.
After 143 days, Manipur's mobile internet connections were fully reinstated on Saturday as a result of an improvement in the state's law and order situation. After ethnic conflict erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups on May 3, the services had been discontinued as a precaution.
The decision was warmly embraced by students, aid workers, and businesspeople who said it will let them resume their activities.
A student representative claimed that because they could now quickly access their course materials, students in both the hills and the valley were glad to be back online.
Services were restored around 2.30 pm, according to a relief worker from one of the hill districts, but the speed "is very slow". "We are still overjoyed. It will make it simple for us to contact contributors and companies who provide items to relief camps. Because it is difficult to commute freely due to safety concerns, it was very difficult to readily connect with others who wanted to help, to place orders, and to make payments, she added.
A merchant from Imphal claimed that the prohibition caused issues with banking and taxes. "Though the pace is modest, this is still a positive improvement. We can now conveniently manage our GST and income tax payments online, he added.
The prohibition on mobile internet services has had an effect on the healthcare, tourism, and media industries.
In Manipur, the return of mobile internet services is a step in the right direction towards normalcy. It is hoped that the administration would keep an eye on the situation and make sure the services are not interrupted once more.
