SDSA calls indefinite blockade to protest net ban
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, October 05 2023:
Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) announced to go ahead with its proposed indefinite economic blockade from 6 pm of Thursday (October 5).The announcement followed the state government's failure to respond to the student body's demand that the mobile internet ban be lifted.
Addressing the media at its office, SDSA president Peter Yunuo announced that as the state government has not responded to the proposal within the specified period, district's apex student body has decided to proceed with the indefinite economic blockade with effect from 6 pm Thursday.
Earlier, the students' body had appealed to the government to lift the mobile internet ban in Senapati district, citing no law and order issue in the district.
On Wednesday, the SDSA issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government to lift the mobile internet ban, warning that if their grievances were not addressed, it will be forced to impose economic blockade along the Imphal-Dimapur road.
The student body also urged the public to support the blockade, which they described as the only way to get their grievances heard.
On Wednesday, SDSA served a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to restore mobile internet.
In a release, SDSA information & publicity had expressed disappointment and dismay over extension of the internet ban, despite their press communique issued on September 29, 2023, expressing displeasure and grievances banning mobile internet service in Senapati, where there is currently no law and order problem.
Mention may be made that ban on mobile internet services is being periodically extended since October 1 after lifting the same after over four months recently.
Among others, SDSA had pointed out that access to internet is a fundamental right that every citizen should have without interruption.
The continual restriction on mobile internet services over the entire state, even when issues are limited to localised locations, is not only unreasonable, but also violates residents' fundamental rights as citizens of a free state, it added.
The SDSA then issued ultima turn to the Manipur government, demanding that the suspension of mobile internet services in Senapati district be lifted immediately because it is a peace zone, with the hope that their demand will be honoured before the deadline passes.
The SDSA said that in districts like Senapati, not many people can afford broadband internet due to the geographical location.
"The students' union of Senapati and Chandel, Ukhrul, Noney, and Tamenglong appealed to the government to lift the ban on mobile internet service to these districts at the earliest," the SDSA said.
The state government had reimposed internet services on October 2 after a brief lifting of the ban.
However, the government reimposed the ban due to the prevailing situation of unrest in the state.
Meanwhile, news agencies reported that the blockade has brought all vehicular traffic on NH 02 in Senapati district sector to a standstill.
Several goods-laden trucks plying towards Imphal from Nagaland and Assam are stranded on the border.
Mention may be made that after nearly one month, Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills (CoTU) had on Wednesday announced its decision to lift the economic blockade imposed along two national highways passing through Kangpokpi district.
CoTU reimposed the economic blockade on August 21, demanding sufficient supplies of essential commodities for the Kuki-Zo communities in the hill areas of the state.
The blockade affected NH-2 connecting Imphal with Nagaland's Dimapur and NH 37 linking Imphal with Assam's Silchar.
The decision to lift the blockade, it said, was in consideration of the progressing political dialogue between the Government of India and UPF-KNO, reaching an advanced stage.
CoTU, however, had declared that it may reconsider its decision and launch protests, if necessary.
CoTU reimposed the economic blockade on August 21, demanding sufficient supplies of essential commodities for the Kuki-Zo communities in the hill areas of the state.
The blockade affected NH-2 connecting Imphal with Nagaland's Dimapur and NH 37 linking Imphal with Assam's Silchar.
The decision tb lift the blockade, it said, was in consideration of the progressing political dialogue between the Government of India and UPF-KNO, reaching an advanced stage.
CoTU, however, had declared that it may reconsider its decision and launch protests, if necessary.
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