Manipur CM N Biren Singh’s Leaked Audio Clip And Mulam Attacks Cause Widespread Anger.

Imphal; May 2026: Thousands of people took to the streets across four districts of Manipur as the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Kuki Women Union (KWU) organised a rally demanding judicial intervention into the April 24 attacks on Mulam and Songphel villages and the alleged N. Biren Singh audio leak case.

The coordinated protest titled, “Mass Rally for Justice, Truth and Accountability”, was held in Chandel Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts, with a large gathering assembling at Koite Playground in Churachandpur before marching towards the Wall of Remembrance around noon.

Leaders of the two organisations alleged that despite the seriousness of both issues, no concrete action had been taken so far. “The main reason behind the rally is regarding the leaked audio tape of former CM N. Biren Singh which is currently at the Supreme Court. Secondly, against the armed attack in Mulam and Songphel area”, Rebecca Haokip, spokesperson of KWOHR, said. Meanwhile, a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur, seeking urgent judicial intervention in both the matters.

The organisations demanded a time-bound investigation into the alleged leaked audio tape by an independent agency such as the CBI under judicial supervision and sought criminal prosecution of all those found involved in abetting, conspiring, financing or directing ethnic violence since May 3, 2023.

“We need judicial intervention for the Kuki-Zo people. We demand a time-bound investigation into the N. Biren Singh audio tape case and initiation of the matter to independent agencies such as the CBI under judicial supervision”, Haokip said, while further adding that “We also demand swift criminal prosecution of all persons irrespective of position and political affiliation who are found to have abetted, conspired and directed the ethnic violence in the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur since May 2023”.

Voicing concern about the April 24th violence, the groups demanded that the probe into the Mulam and Songphel attacks be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with identification of perpetrators and the chain of command. “We also demand the central government to direct the NIA to initiate an investigation into the armed attack on Mulam on April 24. We also urge the government to provide ex-gratia relief and rehabilitation for the victims”, Haokip said.

Among other demands were deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in foothill and buffer zones of Kuki-Zo inhabited districts and initiation of structured political dialogue with community representatives to ensure protection of life, identity and constitutional rights. The rally culminated at the Wall of Remembrance. The April 24 attack on Mulam and Songphel villages had triggered fresh tensions in Ukhrul district after armed clashes between rival tribal groups left at least 03 people dead and several houses torched. The protest also drew attention to the alleged leaked 48-minute audio clip purportedly linking former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to the 2023 ethnic violence.

On 24th April 2026, vide a press release, the Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) said that a Naga Village Guard (NVG), identified as Horshokmi Jamang (29) from Chatrick Khullen village in Kamjong district, was killed in the early hours on that day near Sinakeithei village. It was reported, troops of 131 Battalion BSF recovered two bodies clad in combat gear from the road between Mullam and Shonhphal village while moving towards the area at around 11:25 hours.

The TNL alleged that Jamang was ambushed by Kuki cadres operating under Suspension of Operations (SoO), along with other militants, while on patrol between Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei following reports of suspicious movement in the area. Describing him as having laid down his life defending his land, the TNL expressed condolences to the bereaved family and termed his actions as an act of bravery and sacrifice.

On the other hand, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), in a statement issued on April 24, strongly condemned what it described as an “unprovoked armed attack” on Kuki villages of Mullam and Shongphal, allegedly carried out by Tangkhul militants. The organisation claimed that the attack took place around 05:30 hours and involved arson and firing on civilians, resulting in injuries to several villagers, including women and children. It further alleged that two Kuki village volunteers were killed during the incident while defending their community. KOHUR termed the incident part of a continuing pattern of violence and demanded immediate registration of FIR, arrest of those involved, deployment of adequate central forces, medical compensation for victims and reconstruction of damaged houses.

In a separate incident, Mulam village reportedly came under attack in the early hours, triggering panic among residents and escalating tensions. According to a statement issued by the Mulam Village Authority, the village faced a “full-scale armed attack” around 05:30 hours, involving heavy and indiscriminate firing along with arson. The authority stated that a blank shot was first heard at around 1 am near the village but did not initially raise alarm due to the recent pattern of unrest. Two severely injured persons were rescued, while there were reports of additional unconfirmed injuries and one unverified fatality.

Calling the incident “unprovoked and premeditated”, the Village Authority termed it a serious escalation, noting that a direct attack on a civilian village marked a grave and unacceptable development. Villagers said gunfire began around midnight, resumed at around 05:00 hours, and continued for a prolonged period, creating panic in the area. The Village Authority termed the incident a serious escalation, stating that repeated incidents in recent days, including firing at farmers on April 19 and April 21, which have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

Meanwhile, as a fallout of the latest violence, large numbers of women blocked roads leading to Ukhrul at Yaingangpokpi Bazar area, disrupting vehicular movement and protesting the ongoing incidents. The Village Authority also alleged that earlier appeals to authorities of nearby areas, including Toungou and Sirarikhong, for intervention went unheeded, and urged the government to act immediately to prevent further loss of lives. Security forces have been deployed in the area, while tension continues to prevail.

Team Maverick.