Fact Check: No gunfight between Kuki-Zo insurgent groups; No one died in Meiteis' provocative attacks in Lamka

It is a well-known fact that the Imphal valley-based media outlets have been continuously engaged in publishing unverified news item which often comes with “Corrigendum” the next day. The local news channel and print papers are infamous for their unauthentic news story, for a reason best known to them. The credibility surrounding them has always came under scrutiny especially when it comes to news coverage related to Kuki community.

One such news published on 19 June left the people of Churachandpur shell-shocked. A Meitei newspaper published in Bengali script called “Sanaleibak” (Lamdamsigi Pao) on their 19th June publication carried a report of firing between the ZRA and Kuki Militants, which the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has outrightly rejected.

ITLF in its clarification statement said, a report on page 3 of “Sanaleibak" (Lamdamsigi Pao) newspaper on Monday carried a fabricated report of firing between the ZRA and Kuki militants at Chiengkonpang, Lamka, saying that one side was accusing the other of burning tyres at the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate on May 3. The report, which went viral on social media, is a malicious attempt to misinform the Meitei population in the Imphal valley, which has been wreaked by violence and arson in the past couple of days as Meiteis burned the homes of fellow Meiteis, it stated.

It seemed the so-called “report” was planted to show a picture of disunity among the Kuki-Zo tribal groups to counter the image of a demoralized Meitei community because of the lack of unity among themselves, ITLF said.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) strongly condemned the lies that valley-based media groups continue to perpetuate. There has been no fighting between tribal groups on Monday or at any time since the beginning of the ethnic conflict which began on May 3. Our unity will not be shaken by such lies, ITLF affirmed.

It reiterated that the burning of the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate on May 3 was done by Meitei goons, which eventually led to the present crisis.

There were also several instances where the Imphal valley based media outlets carried news reports based on a mere social media post, which they failed to cross-check the authenticity before publishing.

Earlier, a Meitei newspaper (Sanaleibak) in Imphal also carried a news report (dated 18th of June, 2023) of 11 Kuki militants being killed in a shoot-out between Bishnupur Police Commandos and Kuki Militants a Phouchakhai area on the night of June 16 and 17. However, The Hills Journal has done fact-check on the issue and found that the valley-based Manipuri newspaper report was baseless and unfounded.

It is clarified that no fatality has been reported during the two days' (June 16, 17) firing and no Kuki militants had also been engaged in the firing incident. The Village defense volunteer, however, responded by firing hand-made weapons. It was believed that the indiscriminate firing on the nights of June 16 and 17 was done purposefully by the radicalized Meitei groups and Police commandos for a reason best known to them.

However, on the 16th of June evening, a villager of New Zalenphai was allegedly shot by using snipers and the person sustained injury on his lower thigh, now undergoing treatment at Churachandpur District Hospital.