Imphal : The Manipur government suspended mobile internet for three days across five districts after two children were killed and their mother injured in a bomb explosion in Bishnupur district. The internet shutdown applies to Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, according to a Home Department order issued April 7.
Authorities said the move was necessary to curb the spread of “disinformation and false rumours” and prevent activities that could disturb public order. Temporary suspension/curbing of internet services… is necessitated in public interest,” the order said, adding the restrictions would take effect from 2 pm on April 7. A 5-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl were killed in their sleep and their mother was injured when suspected militants lobbed an explosive at their home in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village in Moirang, a hotbed of unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Security personnel fired rounds and used smoke bombs to disperse the crowd. At least 19 people were injured in the firing and rushed to nearby hospitals, officials said. One person was reported dead at the scene. Journalists covering the violence were forced to take shelter in a nearby canal area amid the chaos. Let there be no doubt, those responsible will be identified, hunted down, and dealt with firmly under the law. Such acts of terror will not be tolerated under any circumstances, he said.
Local NPP MLA Th Shanti Singh alleged the attack was carried out by Kuki narco-terrorists. This heinous act is nothing less than an act of terrorism. Such inhuman acts have no place in our society and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, he said.
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