FC ROUND UP: False Claims Surrounding Manipur Violence – FactCrescendo | The leading fact-checking website in India

For the past few months, the serene landscapes of Manipur have been scarred by violent ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. In February, Manipur experienced unrest due to a government-led eviction drive, which many perceive as targeting a particular tribal group. 

However, the violence started on 3 May in Churachandpur after a Kuki-led “tribal solidarity rally” that protested against the Manipur High Court’s order to include the non-tribal Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. 

In response, Meitei groups organized counter-protests, leading to rapid escalation and violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki ethnic communities throughout Manipur. The death toll has now surpassed 150, with thousands of individuals injured and displaced due to the ongoing violence.

Amidst the chaos of the ethnic clashes, reports of sexual violence against women have emerged. These incidents have triggered outrage throughout the nation. 

Adding fuel to the fire during the unrest, misinformation and fake news has played a significant role in further aggravating the crisis. False narratives, inflammatory content, and manipulated visuals have flooded social media, amplifying the intensity of the conflict. 

The present article highlights some of the incidents of misinformation that have circulated during the Manipur violence and provides accurate information to help our readers to understand the truth behind these claims. 

False Claim – Meitei Nurse Raped By Kuki Men

All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) called for a protest against the Manipur High Court order. It was objected by some Meitei groups. This led to a violent confrontation between these two ethnic groups.

Amidst these clashes, a rumor spread that a nurse belonging to the Meitei community was raped by Kuki men at the Churachandpur Medical College. Alongside this accusation, an image of a woman’s body wrapped in plastic circulated extensively on social media, claiming it showed the victim Meitei’s nurse.

In reality, the viral image actually depicted a girl from Delhi who had been murdered by her parents in November 2022. Even Manipur DGP P Doungel clarified that no rape cases were reported in Churachandpur. Moreover, the father of the supposed Meitei nurse confirmed to a local news channel that his daughter was safe and the rumors surrounding her were false. (Read Fact-Check)

False Claim – Christian Woman Murdered By RSS Men

In an attempt to provoke conflicts between different groups after the Manipur viral video incident, another gruesome video of a woman brutally attacked with an axe was falsely linked to Manipur, claiming it was the murder of a Christian woman by RSS men.

However, the viral video is from Brazil, where a woman was killed by her kidnappers. An unrelated video was shared with a false claim. Such fake news can manipulate public perceptions, incite hatred, and create fear and mistrust (Read Fact-Check)

False Claim – Kuki Women Arrested for Drug Trafficking 

Fake news often targets specific ethnic, or religious groups, spreading stereotypes, prejudice, and hatred against them. A clear illustration of this phenomenon is the viral claim that two Kuki women were arrested in Assam for drug trafficking. 

However, upon investigation, it was revealed that the information was false, and the women in question were not from the Kuki community but actually belonged to the Mizo community. This instance highlights the damaging impact of misinformation on communities and underscores the urgent need to combat the spread of false narratives targeting specific groups. (Read Fact-Check)

False Claim – Pro-BJP Extremists Burnt Down Church

False narratives about one group perpetrating violence against another can incite retaliation, resulting in further violence. One such false narrative was that pro-BJP extremists burnt down the historic 300-year-old St. Joseph’s church in Manipur.

However, the truth is that the viral video actually depicts a church destroyed by fire in France. Sharing such unrelated videos during a crisis fuels misinformation, leading to panic and further chaos. (Read Fact-Check)

False Claim – People Attacking BJP Leaders

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds power in Manipur, and as expected, they faced criticism amid the recent outbreak of violence in the state. However, various unrelated and old videos were falsely attributed to the current situation in Manipur, claiming that enraged people in the state were resorting to attacking BJP leaders. 

In one such video, a mob can be seen chasing men in saffron scarves. It was claimed to be from Manipur. However, the video was from Assam where BJP leader Dilip Ghosh was heckled by a mob in 2017. It not only perpetuated false narratives but also added fuel to an already volatile situation. (Read Fact-Check)

False Claim – People Burnt BJP Flags

In continuation of fake news, a video depicting the burning of BJP flags started circulating on social media, falsely asserting that it was a protest against BJP’s rule in the aftermath of the viral video incident.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that this claim was entirely false. In reality, the video dates back to 2022 when BJP workers were protesting after being denied party tickets for the assembly elections. The rapid sharing of content without verifying its authenticity can quickly lead to the creation of false narratives, resulting in public anger and unrest. (Read Fact-Check)

False Claim – Looting During Ongoing Conflict

In the midst of the Manipur violence, a video capturing people rushing into a shop circulated widely as scenes of looting during the ongoing conflict.

However, our fact-check revealed that the video has no connection to Manipur whatsoever. Instead, it was filmed at a secondhand goods store in the Philippines during a special February sale. (Read Fact-Check)

The Manipur violence has not only been marred by tragic clashes between communities but also by the rampant spread of misinformation and fake news. Each of the points mentioned above highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing it, especially during times of crisis. 

As responsible digital citizens, it is crucial to rely on credible sources and fact-checking organizations to ensure accurate information dissemination. By promoting media literacy and critical thinking, we can collectively combat the dangers of misinformation and contribute to a more informed society.

(If you come across any news, videos, or images that seem too good (or bad) to be true, don’t hesitate to send them our way. Our team of fact-checkers will look into it and then share our findings with you. Together, we can fight the spread of fake news and misinformation. Our WhatsApp number is 9049053770. To stay updated, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.)

Title:FC ROUND UP: False Claims Surrounding Manipur Violence

Written By: Mayur Deokar 

Result: Insight