CPMFs stationed in colleges are no new, additional forces: CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, November 02 2019: The CPMFs stationed in the colleges are 'no additional forces,' said Chief Minister N Biren Singh today.

He was speaking to admins of groups/pages of social media, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Youtube etc at CM Bungalow .

A total of 140 admins attended the interaction/discussion programme.

"The CPMFs were already stationed in the State.

About 15 companies of the CPMF in the State were sent on duty to Assam during the NRC and 5 companies were on election duty in Haryana.

The CPMFs stationed in the colleges are no new/additional forces.

They are simply back in the State," he said.

However, he fell short of explaining how the forces are stationed in the colleges.

On question regarding the agreement reached between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that he has absolute belief that Centre will consult all stakeholders before the final agreement on the Naga issue is signed.

Informing that he spoke to Arunachal CM on phone earlier today regarding Naga Peace talk, he said that people of Arunachal and Assam have the same apprehension as people here have.

Three CMs of the States, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur will press Centre regarding the matter, he said.

Interacting with the admins, N Biren Singh appreciated the contribution of social media groups/pages in maintaining communal harmony, promoting National integration and freedom of expression.

However, he expressed concern over the unregulated use of social media for spreading hate posts, unverified and fake news.

Stating that Manipur is like a mini-India being populated by people of different communities, N Biren Singh said that administrators of social media groups/pages need to keep strict vigil of the posts uploaded by group members because even a slight misrepresentation of facts may sometimes create huge communal flare-ups. Moreover, the participants also raised matters like need for self-regulation, registration with a registering authority, restriction to a single administrator for a group to ensure accountability, etc.

It was decided that the State Govt would explore scope for intervening into issues concerning existence of multiple groups with the same group name.

Some participants suggested that keeping unique group names would reduce confusion amongst public.

The need to verify fake accounts was stressed upon.

Chief Secretary and DGP, Editors of various print and electronic media houses also attended the session, which was the first of its kind in the State's history.

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