Sit-In Protest at Moreh Seeks Justice for Mulam-Songphel Attack and Action in Biren Audio Tape Case

The Kuki Women Union & Human Rights (KWU&HR) Tengnoupal on Wednesday staged a massive sit-in protest at Moreh, demanding justice for the victims of the recent gun attack on Mulam and Songphel villages in Ukhrul district and seeking truth, accountability, and urgent intervention in the N. Biren Singh audio tape case.

Thousands of women from Tengnoupal district and Moreh town gathered at Bus Parking, Ngamkhai Veng, Moreh from the morning hours, carrying placards and shouting slogans demanding justice, peace, and protection of civilians.

The protestors condemned the April 24 armed attack on the Kuki villages of Mulam and Songphel, where lives were reportedly lost, several people injured, and houses damaged. Women leaders stated that repeated attacks on villages despite the presence of security forces had created fear and insecurity among civilians.

During the demonstration, the organization submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi through the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Moreh, urging immediate intervention by the Union Government.

In the memorandum, the women of the Kuki-Zo community said they had borne the greatest suffering since the outbreak of violence in Manipur in May 2023, having lost family members, sheltered displaced persons, and struggled to hold their communities together. They said the latest incidents had once again pushed the state into uncertainty.

On the alleged audio recordings linked to N. Biren Singh, the memorandum stated that the matter, reportedly before the Supreme Court of India, raises serious questions regarding constitutional propriety, abuse of office, and accountability. The organization called for a time-bound, independent, and judicially supervised investigation, stating that continued silence on the issue had weakened public faith in the rule of law.

Regarding the April 24 attack on Mulam and Songphel villages, the memorandum described the assault as brutal and premeditated, alleging that women and children were once again forced to flee and rebuild their lives after losing homes and loved ones. It also questioned the effectiveness of buffer-zone arrangements and the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces in preventing such incidents.

The women’s body further informed the Prime Minister that a peaceful “Mass Rally for Justice, Truth and Accountability” was being organized across the districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Chandel on April 29 under the resolution of Kuki Inpi Manipur.

Among the key demands placed before the Prime Minister were: a CBI probe into the audio tape controversy under judicial supervision, criminal prosecution of all persons found involved in ethnic violence since May 2023, an NIA investigation into the Mulam-Songphel attack, compensation and rehabilitation for affected families, stronger deployment of central forces in vulnerable foothill and buffer areas, and structured political dialogue with Kuki-Zo representatives for a lasting political solution.

The memorandum also sought guarantees for the safety of women and other participants in peaceful democratic protests and appealed for a public assurance that impunity would not be allowed and that justice would prevail.

Leaders of the protest said the Kuki-Zo women continue to place their faith in the Constitution of India and urged the Union Government to respond swiftly to their grievances.