Kukiland Express Desk
By Elvish Haokip
Songpi: April 29, 2026
Two prominent Kuki women’s organisations in Manipur have jointly submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pressing for urgent judicial intervention in the alleged N. Biren Singh audio tape case and demanding immediate central action over the April 24 armed attack on Mulam and Songphel Kuki villages in Ukhrul district. The memorandum was filed by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Kuki Women Union, General Headquarters (KWU GHQ).
Describing both developments as critical issues affecting justice, accountability, and constitutional rights, the women’s bodies said the continuing violence in Manipur since May 2023 has disproportionately harmed the Kuki community. They stressed that women have carried the heaviest burden of the conflict, having lost husbands, sons, and brothers, while also sheltering thousands of displaced persons and sustaining community relief efforts through the prolonged crisis.
On the alleged leaked audio recordings attributed to former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the memorandum stated that the matter raises grave questions of constitutional propriety, criminal accountability, and the misuse of public office. The organisations urged the Prime Minister’s Office to order a time-bound investigation by an independent agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), conducted under direct judicial supervision to ensure credibility and impartiality.
The memorandum further called for swift legal action against any individuals found to have abetted, directed, or participated in the ethnic violence that has engulfed the state for nearly two years. The women leaders asserted that continued delay in fixing accountability has eroded public trust in the rule of law and emboldened perpetrators to carry out further attacks on vulnerable villages.
Referring specifically to the April 24 assault on Mulam and Songphel villages, the organisations alleged that innocent civilians were killed, several others sustained injuries, and multiple homes were destroyed or burnt down. They underlined that the attack occurred despite the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces and the presence of designated buffer-zone arrangements meant to prevent inter-community clashes in the foothill areas.
In view of the seriousness of the incident, KWOHR and KWU GHQ urged the Centre to immediately hand over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to identify those responsible and ensure speedy justice. The groups also demanded ex-gratia relief and a comprehensive rehabilitation package for affected families, particularly widows, orphans, the injured, and those whose houses were damaged or destroyed in the attack.
Beyond the immediate cases, the memorandum placed several broader demands before the Prime Minister. These included enhanced deployment of central forces in vulnerable foothill and buffer areas across Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Chandel districts, and the initiation of structured political dialogue with legitimate representatives of the Kuki community to work toward a durable and honourable solution to the crisis.
The organisations also sought protection and democratic space for participants of the “Mass Rally for Justice, Truth and Accountability” organised on April 29 across Kuki dominated districts. Concluding the memorandum, the groups appealed to the Prime Minister to publicly assure the people of Manipur that impunity would not be tolerated and that the rule of law would be restored fairly, impartially, and without further delay.
