Amid ongoing unrest in Manipur, another video has gone viral showing men carrying assault rifles while participating in a football match. This follows a previous video from the strife-torn state, raising concerns over the widespread presence of illegal firearms.

BY PC bureau

A week after a viral video from Manipur showed men brandishing assault rifles while playing football, another similar video has surfaced from the violence-hit state.

In the first video, Kuki men dressed in fluorescent green jerseys and black shorts were seen holding firearms on a football field. The Manipur Police has already arrested five individuals in connection with the incident.

Now, a second video has been shared on social media by user @JJohnnymeitei on X. The post reads:
“Another video is out where fully armed terrorists are playing soccer. Can anyone identify the location and the people in the video? If it is in #Manipur, Hon. Governor @RajBhavManipur @BhallaAjay26 must take note of it & take action immediately.”

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How the Second Video Differs from the First

Unlike the first video, where a majority of players were seen carrying assault rifles, the second video shows only three to four individuals armed with firearms. Additionally, the second video features a larger number of players actively participating in the game.

The first video was reportedly shot at the Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground as part of a cultural event that included traditional dances and performances. More than 300 people attended the gathering.

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The footage of armed football players was initially shared on social media by Manipur-based influencer Nampi Romeo Hansong, who belongs to the Kangpokpi district. The video, which showed players carrying AK-series and American-origin M-series assault rifles—some with red ribbons tied around their barrels—was later deleted by Hansong. However, by then, multiple social media pages had already reshared it.

The Meitei Heritage Society als

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… pic.twitter.com/3IC5uY9BkH

— Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage) February 6, 2025

o posted the footage on X on February 6, calling for an investigation.
“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 these so-called footballers. Or is this a football tournament of Kuki militants? We urge the authorities to investigate this open display of assault rifles,” the organization stated.

The Larger Crisis in Manipur

Since May 2023, Manipur has been engulfed in violent ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki-Zo tribes. During the peak of the conflict, nearly 7,000 rifles were looted by insurgent groups. Many of these stolen weapons have now become an everyday part of life in the troubled state, raising concerns over security and law enforcement.