Imphal: Taking into account the sensitivity of the situation in Manipur the state government has decided to extend the ban on internet services till June 10—this decision has been taken on Tuesday.

The suspension of mobile data services, including broadband, has been extended till 3 pm of June 10, an order issued by Commissioner (Home) H Gyan Prakash said.The ban was imposed on May 3.

Nearly 98 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur that broke out a month ago. A total of 37,450 people are currently sheltered in 272 relief camps

Clashes first broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

Around 10,000 Army and Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed in the state to bring back peace.Meanwhile, it also needs to be stated here that sporadic violence are being reported from various pockets of the state. This has forced the state authorities to extend the ban on internet services till June 10.