Imphal : At a time when rumours and mistrust are flying high and verifying news is very difficult with most of the communication channel down, there are various reports that get circulated which cannot be counter checked.
In such situations the media also gets into the crossfire as there is pressure of reporting the incidents and verifying the news completely becomes challenging.

Recently a sensational news report regarding the Military got published by a local daily based in Imphal and the state government has reacted sharply requesting media outlets to refrain from carrying news items based on unverified information.

In a press note issued by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, of Government of Manipur stated that State Government is deeply concerned at circulation of such unverified reports which could fan further violence in the State, at a time when all efforts are directed towards building trust amongst all people of the State. 

 The press note further stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah are closely monitoring the situation on the ground and extending all possible assistance to the State Government through deployment of large numbers of central paramilitary forces in violence-hit areas. As a result of these efforts, normalcy is rapidly returning all across the State. 

The Manipur Government thus had appealed to the media to refrain from carrying news items based on unverified information. The government also appealed to all sections of society against spreading rumors and misinformation.
Through the press communique the State Government assured the general public that it is making all possible efforts to maintain peace and ensure the safety of all, without discrimination against any community.

On the ground though there are no reports of violence and curfew is relaxed in a phased manner. The curfew relaxation time is kept different for different districts of Manipur to facilitate movements of people and goods.  Government has undertaken administrative reshuffling. It is being observed that the top officials of the administration are being changed and a new chain of command is slowly taking over.

The biggest challenge to the Government is evacuation of people from hill districts. It is learnt that people from Churachandpur who are in security camps in Imphal are being evacuated to Churachandpur today.  Students of various states of India are leaving Imphal and respective state governments are organising evacuation of students belonging to their state studying in various central institutions of Manipur as a precautionary measures.