5,406 communal posts found, 3,200 removed: Manipur Police crackdown amid violence

Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Singh on Monday said 5,406 sensitive, violent and communal posts have been identified and around 3,200 taken down since June 2023, a month after ethnic violence erupted, while 187 pages and accounts have been blocked.

He said the action was taken in coordination with the state IT Department and the Centre's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Speaking at a programme in which 477 police vehicles, including armoured cars and two-wheelers, were flagged off by Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh at the 1st Manipur Rifles Ground, the DGP said, "Since June 1, 2023, a total of 5,406 sensitive, violent and communal posts were identified, and around 3,200 posts were taken down in coordination with the state IT department and MeitY. A total of 187 pages and accounts were also blocked."

The DGP said prevention, monitoring and verification of fake news and misinformation were needed to ensure public order.

"The social media outreach of Manipur Police, which clears doubts and issues clarifications, has also expanded significantly. Its Facebook followers have increased to 79,000 and X followers to 27,000," the officer said.

"When I took charge as the DGP of Manipur Police in June 2023, the state was passing through one of the most difficult and challenging times in its history due to the violence between two communities," he said.

The situation demanded not only immediate operational response but also long-term institutional strengthening of the police force. A comprehensive plan of modernisation of police was prepared and sent to the state government towards the end of 2023, the DGP said.

He said on October 31, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved an amount of Rs 196. 61 crore for strengthening security, infrastructure, mobility, forensics, communication systems and also for smart policing initiatives.

"The central government's support has significantly enhanced the operational capability of Manipur Police and strengthened our ability to respond effectively to emerging security challenges. The vehicles flagged off today will improve mobility, response time and logistical support across both hill and valley districts," the DGP said.

Of the newly procured vehicles, 54 per cent will be sent to the hill districts and the remaining will be in the valley and with technical units of the police, he said.

Recognising the importance of capacity building, Manipur Police entered into a memorandum of understanding with the National Security Guards in June 2025 for specialised training and capacity enhancement, he said.

"To combat extortion activities, a dedicated integrated anti-extortion cell was established and to date, more than 1,000 extortionists have been arrested, both in hills and valley districts," he said.

He said during operations against extortion and anti-social elements, there have been instances where protests have been organised, roads blocked and security forces obstructed from performing their lawful duties.

Such actions are detrimental to society as extortionists and anti-social elements are obstacles to peace, progress, education and the future of the youth, the DGP said.

"I appeal to the public to extend maximum cooperation to security forces," he said.

More than 260 people have died and thousands have been rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis in Manipur since May 2023.

- Ends