THE Manipur Government warned it would take stern action against those who would spread fake and unverified information and messages that trigger panic among the people, officials said. Manipur Home Department’s Officer on Special Duty Rehanuddin Choudhury, in a statement on Monday, said that panic-mongering by fabrication, rampant sharing, and forwarding of unverified messages on social media and other mass media platforms would be viewed seriously and appropriate action would be taken against the enablers under relevant laws. He said that it is a matter of grave concern that many rumours and speculations are being circulated in social media and online messaging platforms that additional central security forces are being sent to Manipur in view of the current situation in the state “It is clarified that this speculation of reinforcement into the state has no basis, and it should be ignored as misinformation.

 

The fact is that the security personnel requisitioned outside Manipur for the conduct of the Lok Sabha elections are returning to their original bases in Manipur,” Choudhury said. The statement appealed to all civil society organisations, media, both print and electronic and individuals not to amplify any wrong information that may inflame public sentiments and cause untoward incidents, paranoia and a difficult atmosphere for law enforcement agencies to operate smoothly and effectively. “It is to reiterate that the State Government is taking all necessary measures to control the current imbroglio and restore peace in the state. All concerned are requested to cooperate with the state government in its earnest efforts to bring normalcy and peace,” the statement said.

 

Kuki-Zo community organises rallies seeking solution in violence-hit Manipur: THOUSANDS of people from the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur’s Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts on Monday organised rallies to press for a solution in the violence-hit state and a separate administration for them. They also protested against cancellation of the Free Movement Regime with neighbouring Myanmar. The Central Government in February decided to fence the over 1,600 km stretch of the Indo-Myanmar border falling in the North East, and scrapped the Free Movement Regime.

 

Four northeastern states – Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland – share a border with Myanmar.

Congress holds meeting for Manipur peace: THE Congress held a meeting with leaders of the party’s Manipur unit on Monday to discuss ways to alleviate the pain of the people in the ethnic strife-torn north-eastern State. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal took part in the meeting. In a post on X, Kharge said: “This time Manipur voted for compassion, peace and harmony. PM Modi’s abject apathy towards the people of Manipur was resoundingly rejected. BJP state govt is complicit in failing to prevent violence, even as tens of thousands of people still suffer the unending circle of turmoil.”