Kuki, supporters fanning disinformation campaign
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 09 2024:
Waves of disinformation on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have been fuelling tensions amid the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
Misleading videos and false narratives are being widely circulated, with posts often distorting events to create confusion and escalate hostility.
One such video, which went viral, falsely claimed that Arambai Tenggol members were preparing to attack Kuki villages, when in fact, the video depicted some youths defusing bombs allegedly planted by Kuki militants.
This incident is part of a broader trend of misinformation that is exacerbating the already volatile situation in the region.
The viral video on X, shared by user Ravinder Kapur (@RavinderKapur2), garnered over 9,000 views and 1,200 shares, primarily from Kuki and their supporters, claimed that heavily armed Meetei militants were carrying improvised explosives to target Kuki villages.
The video, subtitled in English, was shared with the following text: "Reports indicate that heavily armed militants from the Arambai Tenggol group are reaching toward #Kukizo villages, carrying bombs and other explosives.
Their apparent aim is to launch an attack targeting civilians in the area.
The situation is critical, as these militants seem intent on causing significant harm and widespread destruction upon reaching their destination.
Immediate action is essential to prevent this looming disaster and safeguard the innocent lives at stake".
Upon closer examination, it was revealed that the video had been manipulated.
The footage actually shows the Meetei youths defusing bombs allegedly planted by Kuki militants near a Meetei settlement.
The youths are heard discussing how the explosives were planted by Kuki militants, which they safely defused and collected.
However, this critical portion of the video was intentionally left out of the subtitles, leading to false narratives being propagated online.
This incident is part of a broader disinformation campaign on social media, with several posts containing misleading narratives going viral.
Kuki organisations have also been accused of spreading false information.
For instance, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) issued a press release claiming that an elderly man killed in a recent rocket attack may have died from a knife wound even though the facts are clear.
This was also refuted when Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Delhi NCR president Paojakhup Guite admitted on a national news channel that Kuki militants manufacture their own "indigenous" rockets, which they have used against Meetei communities.
Further incriminating evidence surfaced when a Kuki YouTuber, who goes by the name of Tony Sangboi interviewed a self-identified Kuki fighter from the Pumpi Regiment.
The fighter openly admitted to launching rocket attacks on Meetei areas, stating that they had been stationed at their attack base since the evening before the assault.
Sangboi was later forced to issue an apology for publicly sharing such sensitive information.
These instances of misinformation are fuelling tension in an already volatile situation, as Kuki and Meetei communities continue to remain embroiled in conflict with the former hell bent on disintegrating the state and the latter taking a firm stand for a united Manipur.
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