Manipur Police arrest social media content creator for spreading misleading video

Imphal: Sleuths from the Cyber Crime Unit of the Manipur Police arrested a social media content creator for posting a misleading viral video that could promote conspiracy to commit criminal offenses of intimidation and lawlessness in this sensitive border state.

The Manipur Police's morning bulletin, issued on Tuesday, stated that Yumkhaibam Shantikumar (25), a resident of Tangkham Awang Leikai, Haraorou, Pangei Yangdong, Imphal East district, was apprehended at his residence on Monday.

Following an investigation into the spread of false information regarding the viral video, the digital content creator was arrested.

The police reported that in the video, a person was seen interviewing random people and asking suggestive questions that could promote conspiracy to commit criminal offenses of intimidation.

The police accused the content creator of sowing distrust among social groups and spreading false information across the state through various social media platforms.

Police further stated that the arrestee has been booked under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for statements causing fear or public disorder, Section 153A for promoting enmity between groups, and Section 124A (sedition) for content that incites hatred against the government.

Additionally, the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, along with the IT Rules, 2021, places obligations on online intermediaries to block content that is false, misleading, or harmful.