Songpi: The Kuki Youth Organization, General Headquarter, Lamka, Churachandpur has expressed its deep concern and anguish over the unresolved leaked audio of the former Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh, in which derogatory, dehumanizing and hate-filled statements against the Kuki community were reportedly made.
The organization said the content of the audio has caused immense pain, fear and distrust among the Kuki people.
The KYO lamented that despite the seriousness of the matter, neither the Government of India nor the Government of Manipur has taken any concrete, transparent and accountable action so far. Such silence and inaction are totally unacceptable for a democratic society governed by the Constitution of India and established laws.
The organization reminded that when a public figure is accused of making statements that threaten communal harmony and dignity of a community, it is the legal and constitutional duty of the authorities to act promptly, fairly and transparently.
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Referring to the current Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who has often spoken about bringing peace and normalcy in the state, the KYO said it welcomes every sincere effort towards peace. However, it asserted that real peace cannot be achieved while grave issues like the leaked audio of Shri N. Biren Singh remain unresolved. Peace without justice is only temporary and fragile.
The KYO further stated that the Kuki community cannot and will not accept any attempt to sweep this matter under the carpet. It said the leaked audio holds important truth that must be investigated through a credible, independent and scientific forensic examination, and those found responsible must be held accountable under the law.
The Kuki Youth Organization therefore demanded the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to order an immediate, independent and transparent forensic examination of the leaked audio of Shri N. Biren Singh, to make the findings public in the spirit of transparency and accountability, to ensure strict legal action if the contents are proven to be authentic and amount to hate speech, incitement or any other offence under the law, and to address all other unresolved issues that continue to affect the Kuki community, in order to build genuine peace in Manipur. Without justice, there should not be peace, and the only thing in Manipur that can bring peace is separate administration for the Kuki community.
The KYO affirmed that it stands firm with the Kuki people and will continue to raise voices peacefully and constitutionally until justice is seen, accountability is ensured and dignity as a people is respected.
The organization also extended its full support and solidarity to the Kuki Grand Chronicle Team for their 30 Days Virtual Protest Campaign, commending their consistent efforts in highlighting the truth and seeking justice for the Kuki people.
It may be noted that the same leaked audio issue is currently pending before the Supreme Court of India in a petition filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust seeking an independent SIT probe. The audio clips first went viral on social media in mid 2024, purportedly capturing a closed door meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence, where the former CM allegedly admitted to protecting Meitei groups and making derogatory remarks against the Kuki community. After going viral, the clips triggered massive outrage among Kuki groups who alleged that it exposed state complicity in the ongoing conflict.
The Kuki Meitei ethnic conflict broke out on 3rd May 2023 and has since claimed more than 250 lives and displaced over 60,000 people from both communities. While Kuki groups have alleged state sponsored bias and demanded Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory, the Meitei side has denied such allegations. In this backdrop, the leaked audio became a major flashpoint, with KOHUR approaching the Supreme Court alleging the former CM’s role in fuelling violence. In the court, government forensic labs NFSU and NFSL reported the clips as tampered and not fit for voice comparison, while KOHUR’s counsel Advocate Prashant Bhushan cited a private lab Truth Labs claiming 93 percent voice match with N. Biren Singh. The apex court is still examining the matter and has ordered further forensic tests of the full 48 minute audio.
