Manipulating Misinformation: Media Role in Esclating Manipur Violence

In the ongoing Manipur violence, certain media houses rush to break news, often sensationalizing events without verifying facts. One such example is NorthEast Now, a hyper-regional news portal based in Guwahati, Assam.

They published a news item titled “Manipur CM receives warning from unidentified group in video message.” The news report stated that a video message containing “false claims” and a warning to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has surfaced, allegedly from a group of armed individuals.

The message, delivered in Manipuri (Meitei language), threatens to capture Kangla, a significant area in Imphal city, within two months.

A video clip showing a group of heavily armed men has surfaced online, purportedly showing Kuki militants in the violence-afflicted northeast Indian state of Manipur. Some Meitei social media users have seized on this misinformation to call for the abrogation of the

Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militants, further exacerbating tensions.

The video, bearing the hashtag ‘AbrogateSoO,’ surfaced following the Manipur Assembly’s unanimous decision on Thursday to petition the Indian government for the annulment of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all Kuki-Zo militant groups in Manipur. Signed in August 2008, the SoO, also known as the peace pact, was a collaborative effort between the Indian government and the Manipur government with 25 armed Kuki groups. It has been extended annually since its inception.

However, the viral video is from Myanmar and is unrelated to the ongoing conflict in Manipur. The video is misleading as it is not from Manipur but rather from Myanmar. It is not the Kuki terrorist group addressing Manipur, but rather it is Maui, the Deputy Commander-in- Chief of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) addressing, in light of Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. A transcription is provided on the Youtube Channel of ‘FRANCE 24 English’ where it states, “Get ready to die!” posted on February 16, 2024. Marwi is quoted saying that the ‘Junta troops and police in Karenni State have a choice: surrender or be annihilated.’

A comparison of the viral clip with the original video indicated that the former contains altered audio. In the viral video, an individual raising his index finger is heard speaking in Meitei, stating, “Chief Minister Biren Singh, take note, we will seize Kangla, the heart of Imphal city (Kangla), within two months.”

This has been shared widely by many Meitei social media users calling for abrogation of SoO with Kuki militants. Meiteis have the habit of making false claims to lay blame on the Kukis. This false info mongers are aided by unprincipled media houses like the NorthEast Now, who without verifying or authenticating the viral video published it in their attempt to get more readers.