Manipur has remained in the national spotlight in recent years due to recurring violence and ethnic tensions. Alongside the ground realities, an intense information war is unfolding on social media, where misleading narratives are being amplified to distort facts and fuel unrest.
Fact Check :
An investigation by the DFRAC has uncovered one such X account(formerly Twitter) “Manipur Times”which appears to be part of a coordinated propaganda effort with links to Pakistan.
Operated from Pakistan
At first glance, the name “Manipur Times” is connected with other accounts known for spreading misleading narratives about India and Manipur suggests a local media outlet reporting on regional developments. The account, created on X (formerly Twitter) in March 2026, claims in its bio to be operated from Florida, USA.However, a closer look at the platform’s “About this account” section reveals that the account is actually being operated from Pakistan. This discrepancy raises serious concerns about its intent and credibility.
Further analysis shows that “Manipur Times” is connected with other accounts known for spreading misleading narratives about India and Manipur. These include handles such as Manipur Post, Markhor, and Hezbollah. Notably, “Manipur Post” has already been banned in India due to the dissemination of fake and misleading information
False Claim: 200 People Killed by Indian Army
In one viral post, “Manipur Times” claimed that more than 200 people were killed in firing by the Indian Army in Manipur.The DFRAC fact-check team found this claim to be completely false. An official statement from Manipur Police confirmed that no such incident took place, debunking the viral narrative.
Misleading Narrative
Indian Army Attacking Civilians the account also shared a video alleging that the Indian Army, particularly the Assam Rifles, attacked civilians using tear gas during protests against harassment and arson.Upon verification, the video was found to be unrelated to the claim. It actually depicted a protest linked to the NRC issue in Manipur and not an instance of unprovoked military action. The claim, therefore, was misleading and presented out of context.
Old Video Misused to Stoke Communal Tensions
In another instance, a video circulated by associated accounts claimed that a Muslim woman was tied to a tree and beaten by locals in India.DFRAC’s investigation revealed that the claim was false. The video dates back to 2021 and shows a young woman from a tribal community being assaulted by her own family members. There was no communal angle to the incident, and the victim was not Muslim.
Conclusion:
The case of “Manipur Times” highlights how coordinated networks are using deceptive identities and false narratives to influence public perception and deepen divisions. By posing as a local news source while operating from abroad, such accounts attempt to gain credibility and spread disinformation more effectively.As misinformation continues to circulate rapidly, verifying sources and relying on credible information becomes crucial. The findings reinforce the need for vigilance against propaganda campaigns aimed at destabilizing sensitive regions like Manipur.
