Kuki Women Organizations Demand Justice in Manipur Protests
Mass Rally for Justice in Manipur
Thousands under Kuki Women Organisations demanded justice for April 24 attack and swift action in former Manipur CM N. Biren Singh audio clip case on Wednesday (Photo: AT)
Imphal, April 29: A significant number of individuals rallied across four districts in Manipur on Wednesday, organized by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Kuki Women Union (KWU). They called for judicial action regarding the attacks on Mulam and Songphel villages that occurred on April 24, as well as the alleged audio leak involving former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
The protest, named “Mass Rally for Justice, Truth and Accountability,” took place in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Tengnoupal districts. A large crowd gathered at Koite Playground in Churachandpur before marching to the Wall of Remembrance around noon.
Leaders from the organizing groups expressed their frustration over the lack of decisive action regarding these serious issues.
Rebecca Haokip, spokesperson for KWOHR, stated, “The primary focus of our rally is the leaked audio tape of former CM N. Biren Singh, which is currently under review by the Supreme Court. Additionally, we are protesting against the armed assault in the Mulam and Songphel areas.”
A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister via the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur, urging immediate judicial intervention in both cases.
The organizations are demanding a thorough investigation into the leaked audio tape by an independent agency like the CBI, under judicial oversight, and are calling for criminal charges against anyone found complicit in the ethnic violence that has occurred since May 3, 2023.
Haokip emphasized, “We require judicial intervention for the Kuki-Zo community. We insist on a timely investigation into the N. Biren Singh audio case and the involvement of independent agencies such as the CBI under judicial supervision.”
She further stated, “We also demand prompt criminal prosecution of all individuals, regardless of their status or political ties, who have been involved in inciting or orchestrating the ethnic violence against the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur since May 2023.”
Regarding the violence on April 24, the groups requested that the investigation into the attacks on Mulam and Songphel be assigned to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), ensuring that the perpetrators and their command structure are identified.
“We urge the central government to instruct the NIA to commence an investigation into the armed assault on Mulam on April 24. We also call for the government to provide compensation and rehabilitation for the victims,” Haokip added.
Additional demands included the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the foothill and buffer zones of Kuki-Zo populated districts, as well as the initiation of structured political discussions with community representatives to safeguard their lives, identities, and constitutional rights.
The rally concluded at the Wall of Remembrance.
The violent incidents on April 24 in Mulam and Songphel villages have escalated tensions in the Ukhrul district, following armed confrontations between opposing tribal factions that resulted in at least three fatalities and numerous homes being set ablaze.
The protest also highlighted the alleged 48-minute audio clip that purportedly connects former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to the ethnic violence of 2023.