In its ongoing efforts to restore peace and harmony in Manipur, the Indian Army has encountered the spread of disinformation and promptly refuted false claims. The army issued a statement clarifying that a video circulating on social media, alleging a clash between the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police resulting in a casualty, was completely fabricated. Lt Col Amit Shukla, PRO (Defence), Kohima, released a rebuttal stating, “A fake video has emerged depicting casualties of a particular unit of Assam Rifles in Manipur. It is clarified that neither has there been any such clash between Assam Rifles and Manipur Police nor have any casualties occurred.”
Indian Army Counters Disinformation, Denounces Fake Video in Manipur Incident
The video in question depicted individuals dressed in olive green outfits attending to injured persons and administering aid. Social media posts falsely claimed that the footage captured a clash between the 37th battalion of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police. However, the army’s statement revealed that the video was actually from a training activity that took place in Punjab in 2021. The army swiftly condemned the dissemination of false information, highlighting the ulterior motives behind such acts. It stated, “This is yet another failed attempt by inimical elements to build hate against those at the forefront of preventing violence.”
This fake video surfaced shortly after another video went viral, showing a heated argument between Assam Rifles and Manipur Police personnel. Subsequently, groups in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley staged protests, demanding the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the state and accusing them of impartiality. The Indian Army and Assam Rifles have been actively involved in rescuing people from all communities in an unbiased manner since the outbreak of clashes in Manipur. The army statement emphasized that malicious campaigns aimed at tarnishing the image of security forces, particularly the Assam Rifles, had repeatedly failed. The battalion has effectively prevented numerous incidents of arson and potential loss of lives.
The army and Assam Rifles remain committed to tirelessly working towards restoring normalcy in Manipur. They reiterated their request for media outlets to exercise caution and prudence, given the challenging circumstances prevailing in the region. On June 1, the Indian Army had already condemned a message shared on social media that divulged personal details of army officers involved in internal security duties in Manipur. The post insinuated baseless allegations against these officers. The army, however, staunchly reaffirmed its commitment to equality and impartiality, stating, “All ranks of Indian Army are race, caste, creed, and gender agnostic—fair to all and fear none…the post is an attempt to undermine an institution that is a microcosm of the nation and has never let regional biases interfere in its functioning.”
The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which began on May 3, has had devastating consequences, resulting in numerous casualties, injuries, and displacement of thousands of people. As part of the peace restoration efforts, a total of 135 columns of the army and Assam Rifles have been deployed in Manipur. In addition, the Manipur government has extended the shutdown of internet services, which started on May 4, for an additional five days until June 10. This decision was made to curb the spread of false news, rumors, and misinformation through social media platforms.
Crusade for Lasting Peace: Army Defiantly Battles Disinformation to Restore Harmony in Manipur
Amidst these circumstances, differences have emerged among Kuki groups regarding the decision to lift the blockade of a section of the Imphal-Dimapur NH2. The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, had appealed for the smooth transportation of essential items. The Kangpokpi district unit of the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) announced the suspension of the blockade for a
week, allowing the movement of essential commodities and medical supplies during specified hours. However, several branches of the Kuki Students Union criticized the COTU’s move, citing incidents of arson and firing in Sugnu and asserting that decisions made without consensus would be deemed invalid.
In their unwavering commitment to restoring peace and stability, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles continue to confront disinformation campaigns while remaining focused on their mission to ensure the well-being and security of the people in Manipur.