Imphal : Outgoing Director General of Police Rajiv Singh on Monday said Manipur Police had identified 5,406 sensitive, violent and communal social media posts since June 2023, of which nearly 3,200 posts were taken down and 187 pages and accounts blocked in coordination with the state IT Department and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Addressing a programme at the 1st Manipur Rifles Ground in Imphal, the DGP said the action formed part of the state’s broader effort to curb misinformation and maintain public order in the aftermath of the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023.

The event also witnessed Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh flagging off 477 new police vehicles, including armoured vehicles and two-wheelers, for the Manipur Police force.

“Since June 1, 2023, a total of 5,406 sensitive, violent and communal posts were identified, and around 3,200 posts were taken down in coordination with the state IT Department and MeitY. A total of 187 pages and accounts were also blocked,” Rajiv Singh said.

He stressed the importance of monitoring and verification of fake news and misinformation to ensure public order and communal harmony in the state.

The DGP also said the social media outreach of Manipur Police had expanded significantly during the period, with the department’s Facebook following increasing to 79,000 and followers on X reaching 27,000.

Recalling the circumstances under which he assumed office in June 2023, Rajiv Singh said the state was going through one of the most challenging periods in its history due to violence between two communities.

“The situation demanded not only an immediate operational response but also long-term institutional strengthening of the police force,” he said.

According to the DGP, a comprehensive police modernisation plan was prepared and submitted to the state government towards the end of 2023. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs sanctioned Rs 196.61 crore on October 31, 2025, for strengthening security infrastructure, mobility, forensic capabilities, communication systems and smart policing initiatives in the state.

Appealing for continued public support, Rajiv Singh urged citizens to cooperate with security forces in restoring peace and stability in Manipur.

Meanwhile, Mukesh Singh, a 1996-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, is set to take charge as the next Director General of Police of Manipur on May 30 after the Centre approved his inter-cadre deputation in public interest.

 Manipur Police on Monday inducted 477 new vehicles, including bulletproof vehicles, under the Centre’s police modernisation scheme to strengthen mobility, operational preparedness and security response across the state.

The vehicles were flagged off during a ceremony held at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in the presence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Home Minister K. Govindas Singh, senior police officials and security personnel.

Describing the induction as a major boost to policing and security operations, Home Minister Govindas Singh said mobility constraints had long hampered the functioning of security forces, particularly in the hill districts.

“This event is very significant because mobility was lacking particularly in the hill areas,” he said, adding that nearly 54 per cent of the newly inducted vehicles would be deployed in hill districts.

The Home Minister further stated that the government was planning to procure more sophisticated weapons and advanced equipment as part of its broader police modernisation initiative.

“We are going to procure more sophisticated weapons; not only firearms, but also more equipment for cybercrime-related cases and other requirements,” he said.

He added that the state government was also working to address shortages of modern equipment and manpower within the police department.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh praised the role of Manipur Police during the ongoing unrest in the state and said the force had played a crucial role in protecting lives and property while helping restore law and order following the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the induction of new vehicles and modern equipment would improve the operational efficiency and response capabilities of Manipur Police across both valley and hill districts.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, outgoing Director General of Police Rajiv Singh said the new fleet would significantly strengthen the operational capabilities of the police force.

He noted that the vehicles had been distributed keeping in mind the operational requirements of vulnerable and remote areas, while bulletproof vehicles were included in view of previous ambush incidents involving security personnel.

“We needed bulletproof vehicles also. Those have been catered to here, and we are hopeful that our police strength and operational capacity will be significantly improved,” he said.

Reflecting on his tenure in Manipur, Rajiv Singh described his experience in the state as “beautiful” and commended the professionalism and dedication shown by Manipur Police during one of the most challenging phases in the state’s recent history.

Meanwhile, Mukesh Singh, a 1996-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, is scheduled to take charge as the next Director General of Police of Manipur on May 30 after the Centre approved his inter-cadre deputation as a special case in public interest.