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The world’s longest internet shutdown, affecting more than a million people for 19 months in one of Myanmar’s ethnic conflict zones, has come to an end, according to a mobile operator based in the region.
The internet in parts of the troubled Rakhine and Chin states in northern Myanmar was suspended in June 2019 following “emergency” orders issued by the telecommunications department under the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Following the military coup on Monday, mobile operator Telenor Group confirmed that it had restored all services in eight municipalities in Rakhine and Chin states on Wednesday.
“Telenor Group and Telenor Myanmar have been advocating for the restoration of services and emphasized that freedom of expression through access to telecommunications services must be maintained for humanitarian purposes,” the company said in a statement.
On Wednesday, affected residents celebrated the reconnection with the rest of the world.
Khin Maung, from Mrauk-U Township in North Rakhine, said the Internet connection had returned, but was slow.
“Now we get the internet back. So we also know about the coup,” said Shouban in Maungdaw, who, like many Rohingya people, has only one name.
Human Rights Watch said internet restrictions reduced awareness of coronavirus health risks and information on hygiene measures last year.
The conflict in Rakhine State between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army, a militant group fighting for greater autonomy for ethnic Rakhine people, has left hundreds dead or wounded.
The fighting spread to the neighboring state of Chin, forcing thousands of ethnic Chin residents, who are predominantly Christian, to leave their villages and take refuge in temporary camps.
The region has also been beset by what the United Nations has said could be genocide, following a brutal military crackdown by the government that sent some 740,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.
The remaining 600,000 Rohingya live in conditions similar to apartheid.
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