Manipur violence: Indian Army sounds alert amid circulation of fake videos online

Violence broke out in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district during the 'Tribal Solidarity March'on May 3. The March was called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) to protest the demand by Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meities dominate the Imphal Valley.

New Delhi: Following the disruption of law and order in Manipur after tribal groups took out rallies in several districts, the Indian Army urged the citizens to rely only on content through official and verified sources. This comes after the Indian Army cautioned about several fake videos on the security situation in Manipur were being circulated.

"Fake videos on the security situation in Manipur including a video of the attack on Assam Rifles post are being circulated by inimical elements for vested interests. Indian Army requests all to rely on content through official and verified sources only," tweeted SpearCorps, Indian Army.

Earlier on May 4, internet services were suspended in the state amid tension over the move to protect forests in the face of resistance from illegal immigrants and also the High Court. The Manipur government issued a statement stating, "Internet services suspended in Manipur for five days amid incidents of fighting among youths, and volunteers of different communities as a rally was organised by All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur in protest against the demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST category."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday held two meetings over video-conferencing and spoke with the Chief ministers of Manipur and neighbouring states over violence in the northeastern state. Shah also spoke with the Chief Ministers of the neighbouring states of Manipur. Sources said several companies of BSF, CRPF and Assam Rifles along with the Army were deployed in the state and there will be more deployment of security forces.

Violence broke out on May 3 during the 'Tribal Solidarity March' called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest the demand by Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. To tackle the worsening law and order situation after tribal groups took out rallies in several districts of Manipur, the State government has suspended mobile internet in the state for five days.

Along with a ban on large gatherings, a night curfew too has been imposed in several districts of the State. In view of the situation, curfew has been imposed in non-tribal-dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam, and Bishnupur districts, and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts.

Sources said steps have been taken up to identify the illegal immigrants in the state to counter anti-national elements. A sub-committee has been formed to carry out identification drives of illegal migrants in the various districts, the sources said, adding that Manipur Population Commission has been constituted to gather data and ground reports.

The state government is also setting up temporary shelters for Myanmar nationals who have entered the state. Thousands of tribals -- who make up about 40 per cent of the state's population -- joined the processions, waved placards and raised slogans opposing ST status for the Meitei. (ANI)