Imphal: The Manipur High Court has directed the State government to operationalise mobile towers on a trial basis in districts headquarters which have been not affected by ethnic violence.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui on Monday also directed the State government to extend the services to other areas where the law and order situation, so permits.
The court’s directive followed after the government had on Sunday issued an order extending the mobile internet ban in the state till November 8.
In his order, Commissioner Home, T. Ranjit Singh had stated that the government would open mobile towers on trial basis in district headquarters not affected by violence.
Special State counsel M Rarry for Manipur government handed a copy of the order to the Court following which the Court issues the directive.
The Court also directed the government to upload on its official website copies of all orders related to suspension of internet services in Manipur.
The matter will be heard for compliance on November 9.
With the exception of a few days in September, mobile internet has remained banned in Manipur since May 3 when ethnic clashes erupted between the Meitei community and tribal Kuki.
The Manipur government has been extending the prohibition periodically.
