The directive, issued by the Manipur home department on a Wednesday evening, underscores the gravity with which the state government views the alarming spread of graphic content that portrays acts of violence, harm to individuals, and damage to public and private property. The government believes that this measure is a crucial step towards restoring peace and normalcy in the region, PTI reported.?

The order explicitly encourages individuals possessing such distressing videos or images to come forward and submit them to the nearest superintendent of police, regardless of jurisdiction, for appropriate action. However, it should be noted that any violation of this order will result in legal consequences, with individuals facing prosecution under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act for the misuse of technology.

This move follows a troubling sequence of events that began in September, when the dissemination of images of two missing youths led to widespread protests in Imphal valley. These protests saw over 100 students, primarily girls, injured during confrontations with security forces and police. In response to the public outcry, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dispatched a team to investigate the matter, leading to the subsequent arrest of four individuals. They were transferred to Guwahati for further legal proceedings.

The state of Manipur has been grappling with ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki tribes since May 3 of the same year. This outbreak of violence stemmed from the Meiteis' demands for tribal status.