Imphal

Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh on Monday said authorities have identified 5,406 sensitive, inflammatory and communal social media posts since June 2023, with nearly 3,200 of them removed and 187 pages and accounts blocked as part of efforts to maintain public order in the violence-hit state.

The action was carried out in coordination with the state Information Technology Department and the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), he said.

Addressing a programme at the 1st Manipur Rifles Ground, where Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh flagged off 477 new police vehicles, including armoured vehicles and motorcycles, the DGP said monitoring and curbing fake news and misinformation had become crucial for maintaining peace and stability.

“Since June 1, 2023, a total of 5,406 sensitive, violent and communal posts were identified. Around 3,200 posts were taken down with the help of the state IT department and MeitY, while 187 pages and accounts were blocked,” Singh said.

He added that Manipur Police had also significantly expanded its outreach on social media platforms to address rumours, issue clarifications and communicate with the public.

“The Facebook followers of Manipur Police have increased to 79,000 and followers on X have risen to 27,000,” he said.

Recalling the situation when he assumed charge as DGP in June 2023, Singh said the state was going through one of the most difficult phases in its history due to ethnic clashes between communities.

“When I took over as the DGP of Manipur Police in June 2023, the state was witnessing severe unrest due to violence between two communities. The circumstances required not only immediate operational action but also long-term strengthening of the police institution,” he said.

According to the DGP, a comprehensive modernisation proposal for the police force was submitted to the state government toward the end of 2023.

He said the Ministry of Home Affairs approved Rs 196.61 crore on October 31, 2025, for improving security infrastructure, mobility, forensic capabilities, communication systems and smart policing initiatives.

“The support from the central government has considerably improved the operational strength of Manipur Police and enhanced our preparedness to deal with emerging security challenges,” Singh said.

He noted that the newly inducted vehicles would help improve police mobility, emergency response and logistical support across both hill and valley regions of the state.

Of the 477 vehicles, 54 per cent will be deployed in hill districts, while the remaining will be used in valley districts and technical police units, he added.

Highlighting efforts toward capacity building, the DGP said Manipur Police signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Security Guard (NSG) in June 2025 for specialised training and skill enhancement.

Singh also said that a dedicated integrated anti-extortion cell had been established to tackle extortion-related activities.

“So far, more than 1,000 extortionists have been arrested from both hill and valley districts,” he said.

The DGP expressed concern over protests and road blockades that, according to him, have at times obstructed security personnel from carrying out anti-extortion and law enforcement operations.

“Such activities are harmful to society because extortionists and anti-social elements stand in the way of peace, development, education and the future of young people,” he said, urging citizens to cooperate with security agencies.

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Manipur has remained affected by ethnic violence between the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki community in the hill districts since May 2023. More than 260 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced in the unrest.