Internet and data services were suspended for five days in Ukhrul district, Manipur, after renewed ethnic clashes led to arson, firing and a curfew order, as authorities cited fears of social-media-fuelled unrest amid volatile law and order.
The Manipur government on 10 February 2026 announced a temporary five-day suspension of internet and data services – including mobile internet, broadband, VPN and VSAT – across the entire revenue district of Ukhrul in response to a recent outbreak of violence.
The decision came as reports emerged of houses torched and shots fired in parts of the district amid ongoing tensions between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities, reigniting long-standing disputes and prompting concerns that misinformation online could aggravate the situation further.
The official order, issued by the state’s Home Department, said that “inflammatory material and false rumours could be transmitted through social media, messaging services, SMS and dongle-based internet, thereby aggravating the situation on the ground.” The government stated that the suspension is a precautionary and preventive measure to curb tensions and preserve public safety.
Alongside the internet suspension, authorities imposed a curfew in sensitive areas of Ukhrul district, mobilising additional police and paramilitary forces to enforce peace. Officials said they will review conditions daily and may adjust restrictions depending on how the situation evolves.
Impact on Residents and Public Services
The internet shutdown has been felt immediately by residents, businesses and civic services in and around Ukhrul town. Students preparing for board examinations, professionals working remotely, and small businesses reliant on mobile banking and online transactions reported disruption. Healthcare workers, too, expressed concern about communication challenges amid emergencies.
One resident, requesting anonymity, said: “The internet shutdown disrupts our lives in ways that go far beyond social media – we need access for school, banking and even health information.” Civil society groups echoed these worries, calling for proportionate measures that protect both security and essential connectivity.
Security sources, however, defended the move, telling press that rumours spread on social platforms have in the past rapidly inflamed local tensions in Manipur and that authorities must anticipate such risks in volatile districts.
The district administration’s order covers all forms of internet access, including broadband, with no stated exemptions yet announced. Officials have said that emergency communications channels will remain available to disaster response teams and law enforcement.
Background: A Region on Edge
Ukhrul, a hill district in Manipur, has been periodically affected by communal strife over the past several years, rooted in ethnic tensions, land disputes and competing political claims over identity and resources.
The recent flare-up follows specific incidents of violence between members of the Tangkhul and Kuki communities, which have a long history of contested land boundaries and cultural rivalry. Several homes were set ablaze as clashes intensified, prompting local leaders from both communities to appeal for restraint.
While the precise trigger of the latest confrontation is still under investigation, observers say that a pattern of small-scale disputes that escalate quickly has been a recurring challenge in Ukhrul. In many past situations across Manipur, authorities have found internet shutdowns to be a tool to contain unrest – a measure also used in earlier waves of violence across the state’s valley and hill districts.
In 2023 and 2024, nationwide attention turned to Manipur as prolonged internet bans were imposed intermittently amid deepening clashes, highlighting how information restrictions have become a regular response during law-and-order crises.
Officials’ Statements and Government Position
A senior official from the Manipur Home Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, told media that “in situations where unrestricted internet services could be misused to spread inflammatory content, it is our duty to act in the interest of public safety.” The statement reiterated that the shutdown is temporary, subject to review, and aimed at calming tensions, not punishing residents.
Security forces have increased patrols and maintained a visible presence in key areas. Officials also stated that they are working to ensure that essential services – such as healthcare, banking and emergency response — continue to operate despite restricted connectivity.
Local elected representatives have appealed for calm, urging communities to seek peaceful resolution through dialogue and stressing that the government’s priority remains the safety of all citizens.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The suspension of internet services in Ukhrul comes at a critical moment, as communities grapple with fear, loss and uncertainty. While there is no doubt that misinformation can fuel unrest, cutting off citizens’ access to information and communication also deepens isolation and anxiety in an already strained region.
Peace and harmony are not achieved through silence; they require inclusion, transparent communication and genuine engagement with the needs and fears of diverse communities. Blanket shutdowns may offer a short-term pause, but they do little to address the root causes of conflict – whether social, economic or political.
As readers reflect on the situation in Ukhrul and across Manipur, consider how societies can balance security and civil liberties, ensuring that measures intended to protect do not end up alienating those they aim to safeguard.
