MNF cyber complaint has been filed in Aizawl over an allegedly manipulated video involving party president and former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. The Mizo National Front (MNF) says the video falsely shows its leader promising annual financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh to poor people if the party returns to power in 2028.
The complaint comes as political parties in Mizoram prepare for the 2028 Assembly elections. The MNF, which lost power to the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) in 2023, has stepped up organisational activities ahead of the next poll.
MNF cyber complaint seeks probe into video
The MNF Legal Board approached the Cyber Crime police in Aizawl over the video, which the party described as digitally manipulated. Legal Board secretary David R Lalsawmtluanga filed the complaint, according to the report.
The party said Zoramthanga never made the statement attributed to him in the video. It alleged that the edited content was created to damage the former chief minister’s reputation and harm the image of the MNF.
However, the allegations remain claims made in the complaint. There has been no independent finding establishing who created the video or confirming how it was edited.
Video circulated across social media platforms
According to the complaint, the video circulated widely on social media. The MNF alleged that users shared it on Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram.
The party also said the video carried captions that mocked the purported financial promise. It named three social media users whom it alleged had posted or circulated the material.
Meanwhile, the complaint asks the Cyber Crime police to trace the origin of the video and identify those responsible for its creation and circulation. The MNF has also sought legal action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
MNF cyber complaint comes amid election preparations
The dispute has emerged well before the next Mizoram Assembly election. The state is expected to vote in 2028, when all 40 Assembly seats will be contested.
The MNF has already begun preparing for that contest. In September, Zoramthanga said the party would hold its next organisational elections after the 2028 Assembly polls. He also announced changes to the party’s senior leadership, including the appointment of former deputy chief minister Tawnluia as working president.
The developments indicate that the MNF is focusing on its organisation while preparing for the next electoral contest. The party currently remains in opposition after winning 10 seats in the 2023 Assembly election.
Zoramthanga remains central to MNF strategy
Zoramthanga continues to lead the MNF as its president and remains a prominent figure in the party’s preparations for 2028. In June, the MNF said its leadership had discussed the 2028 Mizoram election during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
More recently, the party has publicly outlined its plans for the next Assembly election. In September, MNF leaders said the organisation was preparing policies and programmes ahead of the poll.
Therefore, the latest complaint places online political content among the issues the party is addressing as campaigning preparations gather pace.
Police action will determine next steps
The immediate focus is now on the Cyber Crime police and any action that may follow the complaint. The MNF has asked investigators to establish the source of the video and identify those who created or circulated it.
For now, the alleged manipulation remains an allegation made by the party. The complaint itself does not establish who produced the video, whether all versions circulating online came from the same source, or whether criminal liability will follow.
As the 2028 election approaches, the dispute also highlights the growing importance of verifying political videos shared online. For voters and political organisations alike, establishing the original source and context of edited material will remain important as campaign activity increases.
