Viral video: Men in Manipur flaunt AK rifles, play soccer with rifles slung on their shoulders

A video of a dozen men with automatic assault rifles, including AK-47, slung on their shoulders merrily playing football in strife-torn Manipur is doing the rounds on social media. It has taken the internet by storm as several football players dressed in fluorescent green T-shirts and black shorts display firearms publicly.

Alerting the authorities about this viral video, the Meitei Heritage Society in a post on X stated, “This video of a football tournament in Manipur has gone viral on social media. What is deeply disturbing is the open display of sophisticated weapons by the so-called footballers. Or is it a football tournament of Kuki Militants? We urge the authorities to investigate this open display of assault rifles.”

The video reportedly first surfaced on Instagram. It was posted by Manipur influencer named Nampi Romeo Hansong from Kangpokpi district. In the clip, a dozen men carrying AK and American-origin M series assault rifles slinging on their shoulders playfully kick a football around.  'Sanakhang' is written on the front side of the jerseys of all of these players.

According to NDTV report, in the initial video an event poster was visible. The social media influencer, who has 11,000 followers, later posted a short video of the football match showing the men without assault rifles. The initial video showed that the football match took place on January 20 at Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground, K Gamnomphai. The village Gamnomphai is located 30 km from the state capital Imphal.

Nampi Romeo Hansong had also posted a nearly six-minute-long video showing the men with guns on his YouTube channel.

The rest of the video depicted cultural performances and scenes from the football match. This video comes in the wake of a strife involving Kuki tribes and the Meiteis that began in May 2023 over a range of issues, such as land rights and political representation.