Kangpokpi, August 25: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District, has issued a press communique alleging that leaked audio recordings implicate former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in instigating ethnic violence in the state.
CoTU stated that Article 19 of the Constitution of India guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of expression and upholds the public’s right to information, especially on issues of national importance and humanitarian concern. In line with this constitutional mandate, the committee highlighted three key developments.
The first concerns, CoTU said involves multiple audio recordings allegedly featuring incendiary and communal remarks made by N. Biren Singh targeting tribal communities. These recordings, reportedly verified by Truth Labs Forensic Science Services with a 93 percent probability, have, according to CoTU, sent shockwaves through India’s political landscape. The tapes are being linked directly to the escalation of ethnic violence in Manipur since May 2023, leading to massive public outrage and calls for legal action.
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The second development is the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for August 25, 2025. Writ Petition (Civil) No. 702/2024, filed by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights (KOHR), is listed for hearing in Court No. 13 as Item No. 31. The petition raises critical questions regarding state accountability in the violence against tribal communities, the demand for justice for victims and survivors, and the urgent need for an independent and unbiased investigation into alleged state-sponsored violence in Manipur, CoTU said.
The third issue raised by CoTU concerns unanswered questions and delayed justice. It noted that more than 24 months have passed since the violence erupted, yet unresolved legal and forensic matters remain. Among them are questions on what happened to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Report ordered in May 2025 to authenticate the leaked audio recordings, its legal proceedings and outcome, as well as the lack of official updates on the fate of the KOHR petition demanding accountability and transparency.
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CoTU reiterating its position said, “This cannot go on endlessly. The people of Manipur, especially its tribal communities, demand answers, accountability, and above all, justice. We call upon the judiciary, media, civil society, and all democratic forces to rise in solidarity and uphold the rule of law.”