Protest rallies held in Manipur against gunfight in Manipur's Kuki villages, 'ex-CM's audio tape'

Thousands of people on Wednesday took out multiple rallies in Kuki-majority areas of Manipur's four districts to protest the recent gunfight at a village in Ukhrul district that left two people dead on April 24. The rallies were also held demanding swift judicial action to find out the truth behind the audio tape linked to former chief minister N Biren Singh, which surfaced during the height of ethnic violence in 2024. The protests were organised by Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Kuki Women Union (KWU) in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Tengnoupal districts. At the Koite ground in Churachandpur town, leaders of the two organisations condemned the April 24 attack on Ukhrul's Mulam and Songphel Kuki villages, home to Kuki people, in which two persons were killed in a gunfight with suspected militants. They also claimed that no concrete action has been taken so far regarding ''Biren Singh's'' alleged audio tape on the conflict in the state. The leaders demanded ''swift judicial action'' in the matter, which is pending in the Supreme Court. The KWOHR had submitted transcripts of the tapes to the Supreme Court-appointed investigating officer and the National Human Rights Commission, urging an investigation into the tape in which one person, whose voice resembles that of Singh, talks about the ethnic violence. Protesters commenced a rally from Koite ground and proceeded towards the Wall of Remembrance, raising slogans against Singh and demanding his arrest. They later submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Churachandpur deputy commissioner, demanding urgent judicial intervention into the audio tape case and immediate action against the gun attack on Mulam and Songphel villages. At least 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since May 2023 due to ethnic violence in Manipur between the valley-based Meiteis and the Kukis who live in the hill districts. Following continued ethic clashes and the resignation of chief minister N Biren Singh, the state was placed under President's Rule on February 13, 2025. It was lifted nearly a year later on February 4.

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