THE MANIPUR TAPES: Kukis Take to Streets to Protest Against Manipur Chief Minister’s Leak Audio Tape

LAMKA: Thousands of Kukis from Churachandpur took to the streets today to voice their outrage following the leak of an audio tape implicating Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in ethnic cleansing against the Kuki community. The massive rally began at the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate in Leisang village and proceeded to the Peace Ground in Tuibong, where the main program was held.

The public rally was flagged-off by Henlianthang Thanglet, president of the Vaiphei Peoples’ Council (VPC). Protesters, including members from various tribal and student organizations such as Hmar Inpui, Kuki Inpi, United Zou Organization, Gangte Tribe Union, Simte Tribe Council, Thadou Tribe Council, Mizo People Convention Manipur Unit and Mate Tribe Union, gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans demanding accountability from Chief Minister Singh.

At the Peace Ground, leaders from various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) delivered speeches emphasizing the urgent need for a separate administration for the Kukis. The rally also featured a solemn one-minute condolence service to honor the victims of alleged state-sponsored ethnic violence.

Various student organizations from Churachandpur have formally submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office through the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur. The memorandum outlines several urgent demands in response to recent developments involving Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the ongoing violence against the Kuki-Zo community.

The student bodies are calling for the immediate arrest and trial of N. Biren Singh following the release of an audio recording in which he allegedly boasts about orchestrating violence against the Kuki-Zo community and ordering attacks on their villages. This revelation has intensified accusations that the Manipur government, dominated by the Meetei community, is complicit in the ethnic persecution of the Kuki-Zo people, who have faced significant violence since May 3, 2023.

In their memorandum, the student bodies have outlined the following key demands:

1. Immediate Arrest and Trial of N. Biren Singh: The memorandum demands that the Chief Minister be arrested and subjected to a criminal investigation under the Supreme Court’s supervision. The investigation should include all ministers and officials implicated in the violence against the Kuki-Zo community.
2. Strengthening of Buffer Zones: The student bodies call for the reinforcement of buffer zones currently monitored by the Assam Rifles. Despite criticism from the Meetei community, the Assam Rifles have been crucial in maintaining peace and preventing further violence. The memorandum stresses the need for continued and enhanced deployment to protect Kuki-Zo villages from secessionist militants.
3. Interim Administration for Kuki-Zo Areas: With Imphal effectively cut off from Kuki-Zo regions, the memorandum demands the establishment of an interim central administration. This body would oversee essential services and infrastructure development in Kuki-Zo areas, addressing critical shortages in medical care, education, and connectivity.
4. Formation of a Union Territory for Kuki-Zo Tribals: The memorandum calls for the creation of a Union Territory with its own legislature for the Kuki-Zo community. The student bodies argue that the current situation—marked by severe discrimination and violence—necessitates a separate administration to ensure the safety and development of the Kuki-Zo people.

SADAR HILLS: A 7 Km. long massive rally from Keithelmanbi Military Colony to Kangpokpi District Headquarters culminated peacefully without any untoward incidents today in Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District.

The protest rally was part of the Nationwide Rally organized today by the Kuki Students’ Organisation against the “Manipur Tapes”, which allegedly implicate the Chief Minister in state-sponsored ethnic cleansing against the Kuki-Zo community and to expedite Kuki-Zo Union Territory.

The massive rally in Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District participated by thousands of the Kuki-Zo community across the District, was organized under the aegis of Kuki Students’ Organisation Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District, supported and endorsed by various tribe organisations, including Thadou Students’ Association, Zillai, Gangte Students’ Organisation, CoTU, SAHILCA, etc.

The massive rally began at noon, with thousands of participants marching along National Highway 2 on foot and reaching the District Headquarters at around 2:00 pm. Upon arrival, a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was submitted through the District Commissioner (DC) of Kangpokpi, who received it on the National Highway.

All business establishments, and private institutions including schools were closed during the protest rally while Government institutions were partially affected.

The district police monitor the movement of the rally and traffic flow.

The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District, in its memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, called for the immediate arrest of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh over his alleged involvement in the “Manipur Tapes” and demanded the creation of a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo tribals. The memorandum also highlighted ongoing ethnic violence and alleged persecution of the Kuki-Zo community by the majority Meetei community since May 3, 2023.

The KSO accused Chief Minister N Biren Singh of openly admitting to leading a violent campaign against the Kuki-Zo community, referencing a recently surfaced audio recording in which the Chief Minister allegedly boasts about orchestrating attacks on Kuki-Zo villages with the support of state forces. The students’ body argues that this recording proves the complicity of the Manipur government in the violence against the Kuki-Zo minority.

Key Demands Outlined in the Memorandum:

1. Immediate Arrest of CM N Biren Singh: The KSO demands the immediate arrest and criminal investigation of the Chief Minister, supervised by the Supreme Court of India, and accountability for all ministers and officials involved in the violence against the Kuki-Zo community.
2. Strengthening of Buffer Zones: The KSO emphasized the crucial role of the Assam Rifles in maintaining peace and protecting vulnerable areas. They urged the government to reinforce the presence of this neutral force, expressing concerns that other central armed police forces are not adequately equipped to manage the situation.
3. Interim Administration for Kuki-Zo Areas: Highlighting the dire administrative and infrastructural conditions in Kuki-Zo areas, which remain cut off from Manipur’s capital, Imphal, the KSO proposed an interim central administration to address immediate needs and prevent further lawlessness.
4. Formation of Union Territory with Legislature: The KSO asserted that the current situation demonstrates the inability of the Kuki-Zo and Meetei communities to coexist peacefully. They demanded the creation of a separate Union Territory with its own legislature to ensure the security and developmental needs of the Kuki-Zo people.

The memorandum concludes with a plea for Prime Minister Modi’s immediate intervention, stating that these measures are essential for the safety and future of the Kuki-Zo community amid ongoing ethnic violence and persecution.

In connection with the rally and memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, KSO Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District General Secretary, K. Shongreng urged the Centre Government to expedite the genuine demands of the community stating that these measures are essential for the safety and future of the Kuki-Zo community.

DELHI & NCR: A significant protest took place today at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, as part of a nationwide rally organized by the Kuki Inpi and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO). The demonstration, which lasted from 2 pm to 5 pm, was aimed at highlighting issues facing the Kuki-Zo community.

The rally featured several prominent speakers, including Mang Khongsai and Seiboi Touthang, Home Secretary and General Secretary of KSO-GHQ, respectively. Other notable speakers were Benjamin Mate from Semang Kuki Inpi, Ngaineikim Haokip, President of the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWoHR), Chochong Haokip from the Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum in Delhi, Janghhaolun Haokip of Kuki Inpi Manipur, and Paojakhup Guite, President of the Kuki Students’ Organisation in Delhi & NCR.

The event was compered by Thangminlal Doungel, Vice President of KSOD & NCR, and Nenghoichong Chongloi. It concluded peacefully with a vote of thanks from Seilenmang Haokip, General Secretary of KSOD & NCR.

Key issues raised during the rally included the recent release of a controversial audio tape. Seiboi Touthang, General Secretary of KSO-GHQ, criticized the Chief Minister of Manipur, challenging him to a public debate and accusing him of being more involved in drug activities than the Kuki poppy planters. He claimed that the Chief Minister declined the debate due to a lack of understanding of the historical context between the Kukis and Meiteis.

Mang Khongsai, Secretary of Home Affairs KSO-GHQ, highlighted the importance of the viral audio tape and expressed gratitude to The Wire for making a translated version publicly available. He urged protesters to leverage the tape to advance their political objectives.

Ngaineikim Haokip, President of the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights, emphasized the desire for peace among Kuki women but insisted that negotiations should not be made with those responsible for sexual violence against them. She condemned the assaults on Kuki women as acts motivated by their ethnicity rather than their gender.

Paojakhup Guite, President of KSO Delhi & NCR, addressed issues related to permissions for various activities and encouraged Kuki youth to excel in civil service and research fields, specifically calling on scholars to document the ongoing violence in their homeland.

The rally was also held at various places across the nation such as Kana area in Chandel district, Tengnoupal, Tamenglong and Jiribam.