A few days ago, old visuals of civilians carrying weapons were shared on social media, claiming that this is the situation of Manipur today with all the sophisticated weapons that have been looted/handed over to civilians. However, the fact is that this video is old. Although this video is from Manipur, it has nothing to do with the recent unrest in the state.
The source of these misleading visuals can be traced back to various social media platforms, where they have been widely circulated. The claims accompanying these images suggest that Manipur is currently in the throes of violent unrest, with civilians possessing sophisticated weaponry. The misleading news was shared by many users such as @GeorgeTouthang2, who blamed the Meitei community for the ongoing violence. These accounts have been spreading false information and misleading the public.
The Actual Truth:
Upon conducting a detailed fact-check, it was discovered that the visuals in question date back to a period well before the recent events in Manipur. While the location of the video is indeed Manipur, the actual video was uploaded on a YouTube channel 8 years ago, and it holds no relevance to the ongoing situation in the state.
The claim that these weapons were recently looted or distributed to civilians is unsubstantiated and misleading. Manipur has faced its share of challenges, but attributing this video to the current circumstances is inaccurate.
Current Situation in Manipur
According to recent news reports, the current situation in Manipur is tense due to ethnic violence between the two largest groups, the majority Meitei and minority Kuki, over land and influence. The violence has been dubbed a state of civil war by many. At least 130 people have been killed and 400 wounded in violence that began in May. More than 60,000 have been forced from their homes as the army, paramilitary forces, and police struggle to quell violence. Police armouries have been looted, hundreds of churches and more than a dozen temples ruined, and villages destroyed.
However, Union Minister B L Verma stated on August 29, 2023 that the situation in Manipur is “firmly under control”. He stressed that there should be no politics on the issue.
Conclusion
The intent behind these actions appears to be sowing discord among communities and capitalizing on the sensitive climate in Manipur. 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: Old visuals of civilians carrying weapons are being shared as recent events in Manipur.
Fact: The visuals are more than 8 years old and have nothing to do with the recent unrest in the state.
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.
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