Hill Tribal Council Calls for Prosecution of Manipur Chief Minister Over Alleged War Crimes

The Hill Tribal Council (HTC) has issued a formal appeal for the prosecution of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accusing him of orchestrating a genocidal campaign against the Kuki-Zo tribals in the Indian state of Manipur. The call comes in the wake of a leaked audio recording in which Singh purportedly confesses to war crimes.

The recording, released by "The Wire," features Singh making disturbing admissions about his actions against the Kuki-Zo community. In the audio, Singh allegedly boasts about rejecting an order from the Home Minister to halt bombing raids on Kuki-Zo villages and takes credit for the mass looting of state armories and attacks on women and children.

The authenticity of the recording has been confirmed by several prominent figures, including Arambai Tenggol (Meitei Cultural Organisation) leader Mr. Korounganba Khuman, drone activist Licypriya Kangujam, and Member of Parliament Leisemba Sanajaoba. These confirmations were disseminated through social media, lending credibility to the allegations.

In a related development, Singh's brother, Rajendro Nongthombam, has reportedly fueled controversy by accusing mainland traders in Imphal of selling the incriminating audio tapes to Congress workers, exacerbating tensions.

The HTC, representing the Kuki community of Moreh, has expressed strong support for the 10 Kuki MLAs and civil society organizations advocating for legal action against Singh. They have urged the Union Government to prosecute Singh and have acknowledged the efforts of Khuman, Kangujam, and Sanajaoba in verifying the recording's authenticity. The HTC reiterated their demand for justice and a thorough investigation into the alleged war crimes.