GUWAHATI: Amid the unceasing ethnic conflict that has besieged Manipur for the last four months, the news of the lifting of the ban on mobile internet services after a long wait of 143 days, no less, brought cheers to people both in the Imphal valley and the hill districts. People from all walks of life, especially students, wholeheartedly welcomed the decision of the Biren Singh government. Many of them were forced to leave the strife-torn state and continue studies through the online mode from neighbouring northeastern states and even Delhi for the past several months, only for easy internet access.
A graduate from Imphal West district, Puspa has been staying in Shillong since May for online studies. Elated at the lifting of the ban, she said she is now going to book tickets to return to Imphal. “The time for our return has finally come. With internet services back, we can prepare for competitive exams from Imphal itself. The internet was the only issue that brought me to another state,” Puspa told TOI on the phone from Shillong where she is preparing for civil services.
UPSC offered civil service aspirants from the Imphal (Manipur) centre the option of choosing alternative locations for the Civil Service Preliminary Examination 2023 held on May 28. Shillong was among the seven alternative centres offered and scores of aspirants arrived in the Meghalaya capital even before the exam date.
“Though there are worries of another shutdown if the situation turns volatile again, I will wait and watch for a few days. If the situation remains normal, I will return home to Churachandpur,” Paul Haokip, who has been staying at a relative’s place in north Delhi, said.
In Imphal, banks have been functioning as usual but trade and transactions were badly hit.
A graduate from Imphal West district, Puspa has been staying in Shillong since May for online studies. Elated at the lifting of the ban, she said she is now going to book tickets to return to Imphal. “The time for our return has finally come. With internet services back, we can prepare for competitive exams from Imphal itself. The internet was the only issue that brought me to another state,” Puspa told TOI on the phone from Shillong where she is preparing for civil services.
UPSC offered civil service aspirants from the Imphal (Manipur) centre the option of choosing alternative locations for the Civil Service Preliminary Examination 2023 held on May 28. Shillong was among the seven alternative centres offered and scores of aspirants arrived in the Meghalaya capital even before the exam date.
“Though there are worries of another shutdown if the situation turns volatile again, I will wait and watch for a few days. If the situation remains normal, I will return home to Churachandpur,” Paul Haokip, who has been staying at a relative’s place in north Delhi, said.
In Imphal, banks have been functioning as usual but trade and transactions were badly hit.
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