By Staff Reporter
Songpi: April 19, 2026
The Manipur government on Saturday restored mobile internet and data services, including VPN access, in five valley districts after a 10-day suspension, citing severe disruption to public services and institutional functioning. An order issued by Joint Secretary (Home) Dr Mayengbam Veto Singh said services were restored “in public interest with immediate effect” in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts. The move comes after repeated extensions of the ban that began on April 7.
The state government said the decision followed a review of the prevailing situation and the growing inconvenience faced by the public. The order noted that the internet ban had affected the functioning of the High Court, district courts, work-from-home employees, chartered account firms, healthcare facilities, mobile-based bookings, educational institutions, and taxation offices. Officials acknowledged that prolonged suspension was hampering essential services and economic activity across the five districts, prompting a phased rollback of restrictions.
The initial suspension was imposed for three days on April 7, with the government citing a “volatile law and order situation” after a bomb attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district killed two children and critically injured their mother. On April 8, broadband services, specifically Internet Leased Line and Fiber to the Home connections, were conditionally restored. However, restrictions on mobile internet were continued in phases every two days from April 10 to April 16, before the full revocation on Saturday.
While restoring access, the ex-parte order directed internet users “to use internet service and social media responsibly to avoid situations which may warrant future suspension of internet services.” The government did not specify what content would trigger another ban but placed the onus on users to prevent misuse. The warning signals that authorities continue to monitor online activity closely amid ongoing tensions in the state.
The April 7 Tronglaobi attack triggered widespread protests across the five valley districts, with a follow-up demonstration also turning violent and resulting in three civilian deaths. Manipur has been gripped by unrest since May 2023, which has claimed at least 260 lives and displaced around 60,000 people. Security remains tight in several areas, even as mobile connectivity resumes for residents, businesses, and government offices.
Edited By: Nengcha Haokip
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