Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim: A group of armed Kuki militants threatening to attack Manipur’s capital, Imphal, within a week.
Fact: The video is old and unrelated to the ongoing conflict in Manipur. The video shows Myanmar’s Karenni forces threatening the country’s military and police force.
Violence in Manipur between the Kuki and Meitei groups since May 2023 has resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 200 lives, with over 60,000 individuals forcibly displaced from their homes.
Amid this conflict, a video clip showing a group of heavily armed men has surfaced online, purportedly showing Kuki militants threatening to attack the capital city of Manipur, Imphal, within a week.
Among the many users who shared the clip on X was user @JohnySarungbam who wrote, “Breaking News: #KukiMilitant issues warning of potential attacks on Imphal city within the next week. Authorities are urged to heighten security measures and ensure the safety of residents. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity”.
The archive version of that post can be seen here.
Fact Check/ Verification
A reverse image search of the keyframes of the viral video led us to a news report published on NP News, a media outlet of Myanmar, featuring the same image, dated December 24, 2023. According to the news, following Operation 11-11 in Loikaw, Kayah State, the Kayah terrorists, known as ‘KNDF’ along with their leaders, declared their intentions to launch further battles in the region.
Another media outlet in Myanmar The Irrawaddy uploaded the same video on their X handle on December 23, 2024. The individual speaking in the video was identified as Marwi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force. In the video, Marwi issued a clear ultimatum to the ‘Junta troops and police in Karenni State’: either surrender or confront annihilation.
The same clip was used in a news report, published on FRANCE 24 English’s official YouTube channel on February 16, 2024, with the caption, “Exclusive: Myanmar’s young people take up arms against junta”. Three minutes and 55 seconds into the video report, one can see the same viral clip.
Conclusion
Thus it is safe to conclude that the viral video, claiming to show Kukis threatening to attack Imphal, is old and not related to the ongoing conflict in Manipur. The video shows Myanmar’s Karenni forces threatening the country’s military and police force.
Result: False
Source:
News report published on NP News
Video uploaded on The Irrawaddy
Video uploaded on FRANCE 24 English
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Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
