Alert sounded by Indian Army about fake videos on Manipur violence

The Indian Army has sounded an alert about fake videos related to the security situation in Manipur.

The Army said that several fake videos are doing the rounds including one which shows an attack on an Assam Rifles post. These are being circulated by "inimical elements for vested interests," the Army said.

Further the Indian Army also asked citizens to rely only on content from official and verified sources.

"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," SpearCorps Indian Army tweeted.

Violence broke out on Wednesday in Churachandpur town after tribal Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed change to the state's reservation matrix, which would grant schedule tribe status to the majority Meitei community. Thousands of people have been displaced following the violence.

With the violence escalating, the government issued 'shoot at sight' orders in extreme cases, whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force etc. had been exhausted under the provisions of the law and the situation could not be controlled.

Even as thousands of Army and paramilitary personnel marched through the streets of the violence-hit towns, the tensions have not de-escalated.

In an update the Army said that the security situation in Moreh and Kangpokpi has been brought under control and efforts are underway to restore normalcy in Churachandpur and Imphal. It also said that the precautionary build-up of additional troops in Manipur would continue, with additional columns being re-deployed from Nagaland.

The Indian Air Force would also be undertaking flying operations to induct additional Indian Army columns.