Manipur: Internet ban partially lifted

Ranjith Singh, Commissioner of the Home Department, Government of Manipur, issued an order that in effect eases certain restrictions that were imposed with respect to internet usage in the state of Manipur. 

Wifi (Wireless Fidelity) and Hotspot are still off limits. The usage of VPN (Virtual Private Network) and social media are also not options that have been allowed as per the guidelines for the residents of Manipur. What has been permitted is connection through a static IP to ensure traceability and so as to ensure that all interactions are on the record. The users would be provided with a fresh login ID and password every day for the system which is under use. These provisions are also made available only under the condition that the users have given a written undertaking to the ISP (Internet Service Provider).

It has been described as a “conditional liberalised lift of the ban with enforced social monitoring”. What this means in effect is that the internet would not be accessible through smartphones which accounts to more than 90% of internet usage under normal circumstances. Given the skewed and conditional nature of the lift of the ban, what exactly is achieved by this move remains unclear.