KOHUR warns of legal action against Manipur Police for targeting Benjamin Mate, who submitted the controversial audio tape to the Supreme Court, calling it a blatant attempt to silence truth-seekers.
BY PC Bureau
In a scathing statement, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has condemned the Manipur Police for allegedly harassing its chairman, Benjamin Mate, over the leaked audio tape involving Chief Minister Biren Singh. The controversial tape, which purportedly features Singh making incriminating confessions, has already been submitted to the Supreme Court of India for forensic verification.
KOHUR emphasized that the audio recording had gone viral on social media before being submitted as evidence to the apex court. The Supreme Court received the sealed forensic lab report on January 23, 2025. Despite this, Manipur Police have allegedly sought to question Mate on how he obtained the tape.
Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan reportedly informed the Supreme Court about the police’s attempts to summon Mate. KOHUR criticized the move as a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence activists, asserting that the organization would pursue legal action against the police and officers from Churachandpur and Tengnoupal police stations involved in the alleged harassment.
“Interrogate the Chief Minister Instead,” Says KOHUR
KOHUR accused the police of targeting the wrong person, asserting that any investigation into the leak should focus on Chief Minister Biren Singh himself. “The police should question the Chief Minister, as he knows who was present during his confession,” a KOHUR representative said.
The trust argued that the police’s actions only reveal a desperate attempt to cover up the truth and protect powerful individuals. “This witch-hunt exposes the guilty conscience of their master,” KOHUR said, adding that the organization would not rest until justice is served for the victims of the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
Legal Action and Demand for Justice
KOHUR warned that it would file legal cases against the police for harassment and misuse of power. The organization highlighted the escalating state oppression in Manipur and vowed to continue its fight for justice for the victims of violence in the state.
As tensions remain high, the rights body demanded accountability for those responsible for the alleged “cleansing program” that has claimed numerous innocent lives. The group urged the judiciary and human rights defenders to intervene and ensure that justice is delivered without bias or political influence.
Background on the Biren Singh Audio Leak and Legal Case
The controversy surrounding the leaked audio tape of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh escalated since it surfaced on social media last year in August. In the tape, Singh allegedly makes statements that could imply his involvement ind questionable actions during the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur. The tape went viral, prompting national media attention and raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the state’s governance.
Supreme Court Intervention
Following public outrage, the tape was submitted to the Supreme Court of India as evidence. On January 23, 2025, a sealed forensic report was handed over to the court to determine the authenticity of the recording. The legal case, represented by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, highlights concerns over the state’s alleged involvement in human rights violations and political suppression.
KOHUR’s Petition and Police Harassment
KOHUR, a prominent Kuki human rights organization, played a pivotal role in bringing the matter to the court’s attention. Benjamin Mate, the chairman of KOHUR, became a key petitioner in the case. Despite the tape already being under judicial review, Manipur Police reportedly sought to question Mate on how he obtained the recording.
ALSOI READ: Truth Labs Report Poised to Shake Manipur’s Politics, Decide Biren Singh Fate
This move has sparked accusations of harassment and intimidation. KOHUR maintains that Mate simply submitted evidence that was already public knowledge, as the recording had circulated widely on social media and in mainstream media before being submitted to the court.
Wider Implications
The legal case and police actions have intensified political tensions in Manipur, which is already grappling with ethnic violence and accusations of police excesses. KOHUR’s insistence that the Chief Minister be interrogated instead of activists underscores the growing demands for accountability from political leaders.
The case has become a flashpoint for issues of governance, human rights, and the rule of law in Manipur, with activists and civil society groups warning that attempts to suppress evidence and harass whistleblowers could further erode public trust in the state government.
