Kuki-Zo demonstrators also pressed for a transparent investigation into the controversial audio tapes allegedly linked to former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, with calls for a court-monitored probe growing louder.
BY PC Bureau
April 29, 2026 – Thousands of Kuki-Zo people, led by women’s organisations and apex tribal bodies, took to the streets today in a powerful show of unity, holding large peaceful rallies across Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Chandel districts, including the border town of Moreh. The protests, organised under the banner of Kuki Inpi Manipur and supported by groups such as the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights and the Kuki Women Union, demanded swift justice for the recent attack on Mulam and Songphel villages, along with accountability in the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged audio tapes linked to former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
The rallies, themed “Mass Rally for Justice, Truth, and Accountability,” came amid continuing conflict between kuki-Zo community and Tangkhul Nagas in and around Ukhrul . According to local accounts and Kuki organisations, so far three Kuki-Zo civilians have bene killed and several others injured, and dozens of houses set ablaze.
Kuki organisations have attributed the attack to suspected militants from Tangkhul Naga groups, though these claims remain contested and have not been officially confirmed by security agencies. The allegations have added further complexity to the already volatile ethnic situation in Manipur, which has been marked by tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023.
The conflict, now entering its third year, has resulted in over 200 deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands, according to multiple estimates.
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Protests in Moreh, on the Indo-Burma border, over the attack on the Kuki village of Mulam by Meitei–Tangkhul alliance militants in Ukhrul. The attack left 2 dead, several injured, and 16 houses burnt.@UNHumanRights @UN_HRC @volker_turk — next time any “Naga” group approaches… pic.twitter.com/ofxU9DgHNi
— Min (@minkukizo) April 29, 2026
Demand for Action on Alleged Audio Tapes
A key focus of the rallies was the demand for action in the controversy surrounding alleged audio recordings purportedly linked to N. Biren Singh. The recordings, circulated in parts of the media and on social platforms, are claimed by some groups to contain references to the handling of the ethnic conflict.
In a joint statement issued earlier this week, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights and Kuki Women Union said: “Despite the seriousness of the alleged audio leak, no concrete action has been taken so far. We call for immediate and impartial judicial intervention.”
Massive rally in Lamka against the attack on the Kuki village of Mulam by the Meitei–Tangkhul militants, and a demand for justice in the Biren audio tapes case. The Tangkhuls led by the brother VS Atem and Sword Vashum are subservient to Meitei fascists@HMOIndia @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/aCJUKdRpaa
— NorthEast Insights 🍥 (@NEIndiaInsights) April 29, 2026
A Unified Kuki-Zo Mobilisation
The protests saw large participation from women, students, and civil society groups. In Churachandpur and Moreh, processions temporarily blocked key roads as speakers highlighted concerns over security, justice, and political representation.
Protesters raised slogans demanding accountability, protection of tribal areas, and, in some cases, reiterated calls for a separate administrative arrangement for Kuki-Zo inhabited regions. Security forces were deployed in significant numbers to prevent escalation, though the rallies remained largely peaceful.
Kuki Inpi Manipur has called for a probe by central agencies into the recent attack and urged continued unity among Kuki-Zo groups.
The latest violence and protests come amid a fragile and uneasy calm in Manipur. Ethnic tensions between the valley-based Meitei community and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups remain high, with periodic incidents continuing to disrupt stability.
The emerging allegations involving other tribal groups risk adding another layer to an already complex conflict landscape. Analysts warn that without credible investigations, confidence-building measures, and political dialogue, the situation could further deteriorate.
As the rallies concluded in the evening, community leaders reiterated that failure to ensure justice—both for the recent violence and the unresolved controversies—would deepen mistrust and prolong instability.
The Manipur government and central authorities had not issued a detailed response to the day’s protests at the time of reporting, though earlier appeals for peace had been made by senior officials.
