Past
Regional shutdown
Fixed and Mobile Broadband, VPN services
Manipur
Manipur authorities ordered Internet service providers to suspend “internet and mobile data services including VSATs, broadband (ILL & FTTH) and VPN services” in the Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakchina, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts. This shutdown follows an intensification of protests in the region. Manipur, a state of 3.7 million people, has been embroiled in ethnic clashes and subsequent Internet shutdowns since May 2023.In 2023, the residents of Manipur faced a seven-month shutdown. Despite aiming to curb violence, the 2023 Manipur Internet shutdown “did the opposite, cutting people’s access to essential public services and leading to unspeakable chaos.” Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or in other countries.
- Total Duration 44 days
India
- Population
- 1,438,069,596
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
Manipur authorities ordered Internet service providers to suspend “internet and mobile data services including VSATs, broadband (ILL & FTTH) and VPN services” in the Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakchina, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts. This shutdown follows an intensification of protests in the region. Manipur, a state of 3.7 million people, has been embroiled in ethnic clashes and subsequent Internet shutdowns since May 2023.In 2023, the residents of Manipur faced a seven-month shutdown. Despite aiming to curb violence, the 2023 Manipur Internet shutdown “did the opposite, cutting people’s access to essential public services and leading to unspeakable chaos.” Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or in other countries.
Related documentation
The Government of Manipur issued a notice on 16 November ordering Internet services to be shut down in seven districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakchina, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur.
[Update]
On 18 November, the government extended the suspension of mobile Internet and data services for two more days.
🔴 #BREAKING | Amid unrest, internet ban extended for two days in 7 affected districts of Manipur.#ManipurViolence #ManipurCrisis #ManipurUnrest pic.twitter.com/VzGS5kmF7G — NDTV (@ndtv) November 18, 2024
[Update]
The government issued three more orders to extend Internet disruptions on 20, 23, and 25 November. The latest orders state that diruptions will cease on 27 November at 17:15 local time.
Internet ban extended for 3 days till 5:15 pm of November 23, 2024.#ManipurCrisis #InternetBan pic.twitter.com/sapJS0GRtk — Manipur Times (@ManipurTimes) November 20, 2024
Internet ban extended in nine districts of Manipur for another two days in “public interest”, ban in place for the past seven days. #manipur pic.twitter.com/HqWKrzdn3S — Vijaita Singh (@vijaita) November 23, 2024
Manipur Extends Mobile Internet Ban in Nine Districts for Another Two Days pic.twitter.com/edVJ6DycLT — Jon Suante (@jon_suante) November 25, 2024
[Update]
#InternetShutdown #Manipur Internet shutdown has been extended again in 9 districts of Manipur for 2 days. With extension, the shutdown is to remain in effect till 5.15 PM, December 9th, 2024.#LetTheNetWork #KeepItOn #ManipurVoilence #ManipurCrisis #ManipurConflict https://t.co/6Y1PuJg5AE pic.twitter.com/1hYnxUoqRK — InternetShutdowns.in (@NetShutdowns) December 8, 2024
Other supporting information
IODA shows a significant drop in the number of probes actively measuring Internet connectivity for Manipur since the start of the shutdown on 16 November. Note that it is difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level. Learn more.
Social media
⚠️ Why #Internet_Ban isn't the panacea to quell unrest ? 📢 Jan Rydzak's "Theory of Disconnective Action" states how the dynamics of protests could change due to information vacuum & increase in violence making the shutdowns counterproductive.#Manipur pic.twitter.com/fhJFijCQZN pic.twitter.com/Yb3owduqwk — Tongjei Maril (@Tongjei_Maril) November 16, 2024
#FPVideo: In India, a curfew was imposed in the northeastern state of Manipur’s Imphal. Internet services have also been suspended in seven districts- Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur for two days after violent protests. pic.twitter.com/kRRBMbYLqC — Firstpost (@firstpost) November 16, 2024
#BreakingNews : #Internet services in all valley districts of #Manipur besides #Kangpokpi and #Churachandpur suspended for two days from 6.16 pm Saturday onwards. Services including mobile data, VSAT, #Broadband and VPNs suspended pic.twitter.com/iMXWRv7Wpe — Imphal Free Press (@ImphalFreePress) November 16, 2024
Since May last year, people in Manipur have faced an uncertain future — repeated cycles of violence while being disconnected from the rest of the world. The violence, shutdowns, and unaccountability must end! Authorities must restore peace and internet services, and #KeepItOn! https://t.co/5kN3cE66y8 — Access Now (@accessnow) November 18, 2024
Internet Shutdowns India enforced prolonged internet shutdowns in Kashmir (552 days) and #Manipur during unrest, curbing free communication and access to information. These actions betray #DemocraticValues, showing a move toward authoritarianism and limiting citizens' rights. — Asian Politico (@AsianPolitico) November 18, 2024
Reportedly, one of the mobile towers at Kalinagar, Jiribam, Manipur, has been torched by angry residents of Jiribam.
In this critical hour, suspending internet and mobile data services is an unjustified overreach. The indigenous Manipuris are already on edge, and this move will… pic.twitter.com/N0p0fTyrCs — BiMoL L (@Bimol27lyz) November 17, 2024
Media coverage
Reportedly, one of the mobile towers at Kalinagar, Jiribam, Manipur, has been torched by angry residents of Jiribam.
In this critical hour, suspending internet and mobile data services is an unjustified overreach. The indigenous Manipuris are already on edge, and this move will… pic.twitter.com/N0p0fTyrCs — BiMoL L (@Bimol27lyz) November 17, 2024