Imphal, July 14: Tension briefly gripped parts of Imphal East district on Monday following a social media post claiming that unidentified armed miscreants had fired at farmers working in paddy fields at Chanung village under Khundrakpam assembly constituency. Manipur Police, however, later clarified that the reports were false and urged the public not to spread unverified information.
A viral message circulating on social media alleged that “armed miscreants suspected to be Kuki militants fired upon Meitei farmers” and claimed that around 10 rounds were fired while the farmers were working. It further stated that central security forces had evacuated them from the field.
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Responding to the allegation, the Manipur Police issued a statement dismissing the allegations. “There are reports circulating on social media about firing upon farmers in the Chanung area. However, both Yaingangpokpi Police Station and Sagolmang Police Station have confirmed that no such incident has been reported by any security agency, including the 4 Mahar Regiment deployed in and around the area,” the police statement said.
This comes less than a month after a violent incident was reported from Phubala in Bishnupur district, where a 60-year-old farmer was injured in a suspected militant attack on June 19. Following that, a crossfire reportedly broke out between security forces and suspected militants during an area domination exercise in the Chingphei Ching hills of Churachandpur district. An elderly Kuki woman was allegedly killed during the exchange.
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Manipur Police have reiterated their appeal for people not to believe or spread unverified social media messages that could create fear or fuel tension in the state.
(Newmai News Network)