IT News
Imphal, May 11:
The Koireng-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has vehemently denounced a news report circulated by Manipur Police, accusing them of orchestrating a deliberate smear campaign against the rebel group.
According to a statement issued by M. Shak-Hen, the publicity secretary of the Koireng-led UNLF, the organization refutes claims made by Manipur Police and the 35 Assam Rifles regarding the purported arrest of two UNLF cadres on May 8, 2024. The report alleged the seizure of cash, ammunition, a walkie-talkie set, and heroin powder from the apprehended individuals.
Shak-Hen dismissed these accusations as baseless and malicious, asserting that the two individuals identified as Huidrom Jitanjit (36) and Ningthm Oinam (43) were not engaged in any illicit activities. Instead, they had temporarily left the group’s base camp for medical treatment due to health issues with some travel allowances and cell phones. The UNLF contends that the items allegedly seized were planted by security forces as part of a routine attempt to discredit the rebel movement.
The statement further highlights discrepancies between the initial report published in the Ukhrul Times and subsequent social media posts by Manipur Police. While the Ukhrul Times article did not mention the seizure of heroin powder, it was included in the social media posts by the police, raising suspicions of deliberate distortion of facts.
The Koireng-led UNLF asserts that such attempts to tarnish the image of the revolutionary movement are well-known tactics employed by security forces and calls upon the public not to be swayed by such propaganda.
The organization’s response underscores the ongoing tensions between insurgent groups and security forces in Manipur, where clashes and allegations of human rights abuses are not uncommon. As both sides continue to vie for control and influence in the region, the dissemination of accurate information becomes increasingly vital in understanding the complex dynamics at play.
