In a surge of protests on Saturday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in different parts of the country, including Lamka, Kangpokpi, and New Delhi, to demand justice and accountability from the Manipur state government. The protests were sparked by alleged leaked audio tapes of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, where he reportedly admitted to using bombs on Zomi and Kuki civilians during the ethnic violence in Manipur. The Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) led a rally in Leisang Village, about 7 km from the Lamka District Headquarters. The rally, attended by thousands from the Kuki communities, also called for accountability and a separate administration for the Zomi, Kuki, and Hmar communities.
However, the event was marred by violence when suspected miscreants burned down the house of Lamjathang Haokip, a BJP State spokesperson and leader of the Thadou tribe, who had spoken out against Kuki extremists. An FIR was filed by the victim of the arson, but at the time of writing, no arrests had been made.
In Lamka, the main protest took place at the Lamka Football Ground in Hiangtam Lamka, organised by the Lamka Joint Students’ Body (JSB). Titled “Protest Against State-Sponsored Ethnic Violence,” the demonstration aimed to expose and condemn the alleged involvement of the state in ethnic violence against the Zo community. The protesters demanded accountability from Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for his statements in the alleged leaked audio, which was reportedly released by a whistleblower, a former close ally of the Chief Minister.
In support of the Lamka protest, similar rallies were held in various Sub-Divisional areas such as Singngat, Mualnuam, and Thanlon within the Lamka (Churachandpur) District. During the protest at Lamka, Lien Vaiphei and Rose Simte led the crowd in a call-and-response chant, “No Justice!” followed by “No Peace!” The crowd also shouted slogans such as “Save Us, From Manipur” and “Biren Singh! Down Down,” expressing their anger and frustration.
Zomi Council Chairman Vumsuan Naulak delivered a fervent speech during the rally, calling for a separate administration for the Zo people. He criticised recent peace talks between Chief Minister Singh and other ethnic groups—such as the Thado, Paite, and Hmar communities—labeling them as insincere attempts to maintain the Chief Minister’s power. Naulak urged the Zomi people to remain steadfast in their demands, denouncing the Chief Minister’s actions and dismissing his offers.
Following Naulak’s address, Zomi Mothers’ Association (ZMA) President Chingngaihdon spoke out against the Chief Minister’s alleged disregard for the two women who were paraded naked and further victimised due to the leaked audio statement. The ZMA President assured the crowd that the organisation would continue advocating for the rights and dignity of Zomi women and vowed to stand by the victims.
The Convenor of JSB Lamka, Nengzalian Tonsing, also addressed the crowd, focusing on the state’s ongoing deprivation of educational opportunities for Zo students. He thanked the community for their unwavering support and highlighted the successful efforts of the JSB in benefiting students aspiring to compete in exams.
The protesters held placards with messages such as “UT for the Zo People,” “Hold Biren Singh Accountable for his Genocidal Crime,” “This isn’t Fiction, it’s our Life,” “This isn’t a War, it’s a Genocide,” “Zo Lives Matter,” “GoM is an apartheid regime, We can no longer be a part of it,” “Separation only Solution,” and “Zomi Mothers stand with all Zo Victims.” The event concluded peacefully at Hiangtam Lamka with the singing of the National Anthem, a significant moment that showcased the protesters’ commitment to the nation.
In conjunction with the Lamka rally, the Joint Students’ Body (JSB) of Lamka submitted a memorandum to the Honourable Prime Minister of India, assisted by the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF), Delhi Cell. The memorandum called for the indictment of the Chief Minister of Manipur for his alleged culpability in the ethnic violence and highlighted the need for a political settlement and administration as a permanent solution to the current turmoil. It also stressed the urgent need for justice for the victims of the ethnic conflicts.
