Regional shutdown
mobile, fiber
Manipur State
On 28 April, Section 144 was enforced, coupled with a five-day suspension of Internet services in Churachandpur, India. After violence erupted in the northeast Indian state of Manipur on 3 May, the Indian government deployed the army and ordered an Internet shutdown across eight districts. The Indian government has issued multiple extensions continuing the Internet shutdown. On 25 July, the Indian government partially lifted the shutdown when they indicated that fixed broadband connections could be resumed if they complied with strict requirements around static IP addresses for tracking, blocking VPNs, and more. Mobile Internet access continues to be blocked. On 23 September, the Manipur Chief Minister announced that Internet services will be restored from that day onwards, as reported by India Today.
- Total Duration 167 days
India
- Population
- 1,438,069,596
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
On 28 April, Section 144 was enforced, coupled with a five-day suspension of Internet services in Churachandpur, India. After violence erupted in the northeast Indian state of Manipur on 3 May, the Indian government deployed the army and ordered an Internet shutdown across eight districts. The Indian government has issued multiple extensions continuing the Internet shutdown. On 25 July, the Indian government partially lifted the shutdown when they indicated that fixed broadband connections could be resumed if they complied with strict requirements around static IP addresses for tracking, blocking VPNs, and more. Mobile Internet access continues to be blocked. On 23 September, the Manipur Chief Minister announced that Internet services will be restored from that day onwards, as reported by India Today.
Related documentation
Multiple sites published the text of orders extending the Internet shutdown. One example is of the 5 July extension to 10 July.
On 25 July, the government ordered a partial lift on the shutdown. The requirements in this order effectively denies any method of anonymity in Internet use and keeps the door open for service blocking.
Other supporting information
It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level.
Social media
Local news media are reporting shops have closed due to the persistent shutdown.
Media coverage
Local news media are reporting shops have closed due to the persistent shutdown.