Internet ban deals harsh blow to many
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2023: The blanket ban put on internet services following the May 3 violent conflict has affected people across the State, especially students staying outside financially.

With the internet services snapped, people are not able to use internet banking, mobile banking.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other mode of transferring money online on mobile applications such as Gpay, PhonePe, Paytm and Amazon Pay etc.

While people here are able to withdraw money from ATMs (Automated Teller Machine) when they are opened and replenished during curfew relaxation hours, parents and guardians of students studying outside Manipur have been left without viable means to send money.

They are worried that their children are suffering with no money 'far away from home' .

Thokchom Nevidita, a mother from Naorem Leikai, was worried like other parents when this reporter approached her.

She wasn't able to send money to her son in Delhi.

"As internet has been banned, we are not able to send monthly money to our son in Delhi.

Without it, he will not be able to pay for rent and his day-to-day expenditure including food.

We are worried that he is suffering without money far away from home," Nevidita said.

While she was worried, Nevidita's phone rang and she sighed with some relief.

She got hold of a distant relative in Delhi who was willing to help her.

Over the phone, she requested the relative to help her out and- send her son some money.

She shared her son's bank details.

Nevidita.

who is somewhat relief now, said her son is preparing for NDA examination and has joined a coaching class in Delhi.

Her son was receiving a lot of pressure from the landlord to clear rent dues, Nevidita said.

She continued that if the internet ban continues for some weeks, then students staying outside Manipur will be facing a lot of troubles and difficulties financially and mentally.

Before internet services were banned, they would talk via video call daily, Nevidita said, adding she was able to care for and look after him a little that way.

On the other hand, Longjam Somoijit of Hiranmei said he is pursuing Master's degree in IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) and facing inconveniences as he can no longer access the assignments, learning materials and inputs online.

A Professor at National Institute of Technology, Manipur also said the internet ban has stopped almost all works of the institute.

The teachers also cannot send study materials and assignment to students on WhatsApp, the Professor added. A manager at a Pharmaceutical company, who wished not to be named, said he is also not able to send reports and assignment.

Even though the higher ups in the company understand the present situation in Manipur, he fears he will lose his job if the internet ban continues for a longer period, the manager said.

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