Manipur Violence

Manipur violence refers to the ongoing ethnic and communal conflicts in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. The violence in Manipur has been characterized by clashes between different ethnic groups, most notably between the Meitei, who primarily inhabit the Imphal Valley, and various tribal communities, including the Naga and Kuki-Zomi groups, who live in the surrounding hills. These conflicts often stem from long-standing issues related to ethnic identity, land rights, and political representation.

The violence has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of people, and disruption of normal life in the affected areas. It has also led to increased militarization in the region, with the presence of both state and central security forces attempting to restore order. Despite various efforts at peace talks and conflict resolution, the situation remains tense, and violence periodically flares up, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Manipur's strategic location along India's border with Myanmar adds to the complexity of the situation, as cross-border insurgent activities and the flow of illegal arms have further fueled the conflict. The Manipur violence has attracted national and international attention, with calls for more effective conflict resolution mechanisms and greater attention to the underlying socio-political issues that drive the violence.

In October 2023, BOOM investigated a viral video that was being falsely circulated as evidence of violence in Manipur.

The video purported to show a gangrape in Manipur, but BOOM found that the incident actually took place in Bengaluru's Ramamurthynagar in May 2021. In that case, 11 Bangladeshi nationals were involved in the sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman. The video was misleadingly shared to create false narratives about the ongoing violence in Manipur