A few days ago, a sensitive video began circulating, depicting a brutal incident where attackers shot a lady on the ground until her head was tragically obliterated. The claim accompanying the video alleged that the victim was a Kuki woman who had been raped and fatally shot by individuals belonging to the Meitei community. The misleading narrative was spread by habitual spreaders of fake news, including accounts such as @B5001001101, @fairozKhan60096, @Nasimahmad34541, @NationGazette, @KashifArsalaan, and @elisheba_lily. However, upon close investigation, we found out that the lady being Naga Woman Shot Dead and not Kuki, moreover, it becomes evident that the facts behind this gruesome incident are quite different.
The source of the accurate information regarding the incident can be traced back to a local news portal, kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com [archive]. This platform reported the actual story surrounding the tragic event. On July 15th, 2023, a horrifying incident took place in Manipur, wherein a Naga woman named M Lucy Maring fell victim to a mob attack. Contrary to the misleading claims, Lucy Maring was not a Kuki woman, but rather a member of the Naga community, specifically the Maring tribe.
The gruesome act captured in the 1.31-minute video involved a mob ruthlessly attacking M. Lucy Maring, aged 55. As the video unfolds, Lucy Maring can be seen lying near a bush, defenceless, while at least 20 shots are fired at her, apparently from an automatic rifle. The brutal assault continued until there was nothing left of her head, a tragic and heart-wrenching scene.
Following the heinous act, law enforcement promptly initiated an investigation, leading to the arrest of nine individuals in connection with Lucy Maring’s killing. These individuals faced charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including murder, rioting, and kidnapping with intent to murder, in addition to charges under the Arms Act. All suspects were subsequently placed in judicial custody.
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: A Kuki woman was raped and shot dead by Meitei individuals in Manipur, as shown in a circulating video.
Fact: Misleading, the incident portrayed in the video actually involves the tragic shooting of a Naga woman, by a mob in Manipur; the victim was not a Kuki woman and the attackers’ identities differ from the initial claim.
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.
