A few days ago, the market area of Lamphel in Imphal, Manipur witnessed an unfortunate incident as the house of former Member of Parliament, Thangso Baite, caught fire due to a short circuit. However, amidst the unfortunate event, the power of misinformation became evident. Falsehoods propagated by various Twitter accounts added fuel to the flames, they wrongly claimed that the fire was put up intentionally by the Meitei community.
Misinformation rapidly twisted across social media platforms, propagated by accounts such as @BenjaminMate1, @BeingChikim, @letlal, @hoihnu, @tanmoyofc, @SR_Tmc007, @SkTouthang, @KimmiKhs, @PatrickOHaokip, @vibesofindia_, @KukiMinjoy, @LenHaokip9, @HohoiMate, @SAHR_Watch and several others. These accounts published misleading tweets asserting that the fire was a result of intentional actions by the Meitei mob. Such false claims aimed to capitalize on the existing tensions and sow seeds of division within the community of Manipur.
The Actual Cause: A Short Circuit
Contrary to the misinformation campaign, official reports pointed out the true cause of the fire – a short circuit originating on the first floor of Thangso Baite’s two-storeyed house. Notably, the house was locked and unoccupied at the time of the incident. While the fire caused considerable damage to the first-floor rooms, there was no involvement of the Meitei community in the incident. For more details on the aftermath of the incident, refer to an article by www.thehindu.com [archive]
Intent Behind Misinformation: Fanning the Flames of Discord
The deliberate spreading of misinformation through social media channels reveals a concerning motive. By exploiting the complex sociopolitical landscape of Manipur, certain individuals aimed to intensify the ongoing tensions. These falsehoods sought to magnify disagreements, erode trust, and undermine the stability of the region. By spreading false claims, certain individuals appear to have the intention of sowing disagreement and lack of harmony among various communities. Their main motive seems to be generating turmoil in Violence-hit Manipur. Such propaganda accounts seek to inflame emotions, encouraging disagreement among the general public. This is an effort to manipulate public sentiment and cause disruption. Moreover, the misinformation aimed to portray the state’s government, currently led by the BJP, as incapable of curbing violence and ensuring safety. Following comprehensive analysis and meticulous fact-checking, our team has investigated the claim. You can refer to the findings of this inquiry in the Twitter thread embedded below.
Claim: Misleading tweets alleged that the Meitei people intentionally burned down Thangso Baite’s house.
Fact: The fire was caused by a short circuit, and there is no evidence of intentional arson by the Meitei community.
In our pursuit of accurate and unbiased information, we’ve diligently fact-checked the claims surrounding the incident. Misinformation can sow discord and disrupt communal harmony. Your support matters greatly in our mission to foster an informed and united society. Together, let’s strive to make India and Indians proud, upholding truth and unity. Jai Hind.
