From conflict-affected Manipur to tea estate communities in Jorhat — we build digital access, resilience, and empowerment where it is needed most.
Churachandpur District · Conflict-affected communities · World's longest internet shutdown
The Manipur CAN project was designed to address one of the most severe access crises in recent memory — prolonged ethnic conflict combined with the world's longest internet shutdown, leaving communities in Churachandpur District completely cut off from healthcare information, government services, education, and economic opportunity.
Launched by CSDD with APNIC Foundation support, the project established two working community networks serving hundreds of households, youth, women, and Internally Displaced Persons.
View Full Project ↗The 2023–2025 ethnic conflict in Manipur created a compounding crisis of displacement, economic collapse, and communication blackout.
Manipur experienced the world's longest internet shutdown in 2023, continuing in waves through 2024 and into late 2025 — severing critical communication for months.
Large numbers of IDPs in relief camps were cut off from government services, welfare entitlements, and humanitarian aid due to lack of connectivity.
Economic hardship from conflict worsened affordability. With livelihoods shattered, communities could not sustain commercial internet subscriptions.
School closures and lack of digital resources created long-term educational setbacks for children in the conflict zone.
Repeated shutdowns eroded community trust in the internet. Rebuilding confidence in digital access was a core project objective.
Physical movement restricted by ethnic borders made internet the only viable channel for governance, services, and communication.
Two distinct technical approaches for two distinct geographies and tribal communities.
Ground-level engagement with SSPP, local ISP, CBOs, and community leaders to identify access gaps and community readiness.
Feasibility study, equipment procurement, leased line installation, antenna deployment, 9 access points established.
2 networking workshops for 7 youth volunteers. 4 community events. 158 families and 412 individuals reached.
10-node mesh deployment at 1,300 m altitude. 5 local youth trained as network custodians. Village Authority adopted ownership.
Cooperative membership model adopted. 6 digital safety trainings held with 221 participants. Project presented at CNX 2025.
On March 7, 2025, when rumours of a fresh internet shutdown spread after a clash in Churachandpur, 8 students in their 5th semester reached the CAN hub late in the evening. With semester exams approaching and presentations due, they spent hours downloading study materials — using the community network as their lifeline.
Ronald Chiru had been working at a call centre in Delhi before the conflict forced him home. Unstable connectivity kept disrupting his remote work shifts. When a mesh network node was installed near his house in August 2025, providing a steady 40–50 Mbps connection, it transformed his life. Today Ronald works from his village — and 4–5 more youth are following the same path.
इंटरनेट से अधिकार तक — From Internet to Rights
Internet Disha is a technology-led community empowerment programme connecting Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities in Jorhat to reliable internet, digital skills, and the government services they deserve — independently and confidently.
Through Digital Empowerment Hubs, trained DigiPreneurs and Digi Sakhis, and the DigiPath curriculum delivered entirely in Assamese, we bridge the digital divide — one tea estate at a time.
Explore Internet Disha ↗Five interlocking components designed to create lasting digital empowerment — not dependency.
Fully equipped community hubs inside tea estates — the physical anchor for all training, services, and connectivity.
17 community fellows trained and certified as Digital Resource Persons — drawn from the community itself, trusted by it.
A purpose-built mobile application in Assamese giving communities access to government scheme information and digital tools.
Community Wi-Fi infrastructure deployed as Public Data Office Aggregator access points — low-cost and locally manageable.
Safety and fraud prevention woven into the programme from day one — because fear of fraud is a major barrier to internet adoption.
Integration with BharatNet, DigiLocker, CSC e-Governance, SIRISH, e-Shram and state welfare portals to maximise reach.
A structured, Assamese-language digital literacy programme — from smartphone basics to peer training skills.
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