Guwahati: The ten Kuki-Zo MLAs from Manipur have called on the Inquiry Commission established by the Union Home Ministry to accelerate its investigation and prosecute Chief Minister N Biren Singh if he is found guilty of the alleged crimes.
The Kuki-Zo MLAs, who have been advocating for a separate administration from Manipur, also requested that Singh be suspended from his position as chief minister to prevent him from influencing the probe’s outcome.
In a statement, the MLAs claimed that recently leaked audio clips reveal Singh boasting about his involvement in the ethnic persecution of the Kuki-Zo community. The MLAs asserted that the recordings confirm the chief minister’s complicity in what they describe as state-sponsored ethnic cleansing.
“The complicity of the CM in the state sponsored ethnic cleansing, which we have always maintained since day one, has now been established beyond an iota of doubt,” the Kuki-Zo MLAs said.
According to the statement, the audio clips show Singh reassuring his audience—presumed to be his ‘militia’—that they should not respond promptly to summonses, allowing him time to intervene. The recordings also allegedly include a conversation where the Union Home Minister criticised Singh for authorising the use of bombs on civilians and instructions to use bombs covertly after the minister’s departure.
Further allegations include Singh boasting about preventing arrests related to the theft of 4,000-5,000 arms and ammunition from state forces and making controversial comments about the deaths of around 300 Kukis. The tapes reportedly also capture Singh expressing a preference that only Meiteis refrain from criticising him.
The statement issued by the Kuki-Zo legislators also stated more self-incriminating statements can be clearly heard from the leaked tapes, which have been submitted to the Judicial Commission headed by Justice Lamba.
Confirming the authenticity of the tapes, CM Biren’s brother Rajendro Nong can be seen threatening those who sold out such sensitive tapes to others on Facebook, it said.
The ten Kuki-Zo MLAs further appealed the Government of India to expedite their demand for separate administration in the firm of Union Territory with legislature, as that alone is the path to lasting peace in the region.
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