Manipur's Internet ban to be lifted today: CM Biren Singh

The state's internet control will be withdrawn as of this morning, Manipur's chief minister N Biren Singh declared on Saturday.
The state's internet control would disappear as of this morning, Manipur's chief minister N Biren Singh announced on Saturday. The state government had put restrictions on internet access in different areas of the conflict-torn state after the initial outbreak of the ethnic clashes on May 3. Later, a portion of the ban was lifted by the government, allowing broadband services to function with certain limitations.

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," the release added.

Thousands of people have been displaced as a result of the ethnic war, which has already claimed 175 lives and injured more than 1,100 others. During the four-month-long crisis, there were 5,172 cases of arson, including the burning and vandalization of 4,786 homes and 386 religious buildings. From all around the state, 5,668 weapons have been lost. 1 329 arms have been successfully collected by security forces so far.