In Manipur, the political and social tensions have reached a boiling point following the release of controversial audio tapes allegedly involving Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and leaders of the radical Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol. These tapes, which surfaced online, have sparked a fierce debate about the authenticity and implications of their content, leading to a series of threatening statements from key figures in the state.
The tapes, which reportedly capture sensitive conversations between the CM, his brother Rajendro Nongthingbam, and Arambai Tenggol founder and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, have added fuel to the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. The audio recordings are said to discuss strategies that could exacerbate the already fragile situation in the region, where violence and unrest have been prevalent for months.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was quick to dismiss the tapes as “doctored” and part of a conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the state. He described the leak as an anti-national act designed to create further division between the communities. Despite his denial, the reaction from his brother and Sanajaoba suggests that they view the leaks as a significant betrayal.
Rajendro Nongthingbam, CM Biren Singh’s brother, took to social media to issue stern warnings against those he labeled as “traitors” within the Meitei community. He accused them of collaborating with the “enemy” by leaking the tapes and vowed that these individuals would be identified and “dealt with” accordingly. Similarly, Sanajaoba, who is deeply involved with Arambai Tenggol—a radical Meitei group known for its hardline stance—echoed these sentiments, intensifying fears of internal purges and vigilantism within the community.
The involvement of Arambai Tenggol in this controversy is particularly concerning given the group’s influence and radical ideology. The organization, which has tens of thousands of members, has been at the forefront of the Meitei nationalist movement. Recently, they held a high-profile meeting at Kangla Fort in Imphal, where they discussed their demands and strategies, including pushing for the removal of Kuki immigrants from the Scheduled Tribe list, revoking the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, and replacing the Assam Rifles with other paramilitary forces.
The leaked tapes and the subsequent reactions have not only deepened the mistrust between the Meitei and Kuki communities but also raised serious concerns about the use of power and influence by state leaders to suppress dissent. The threats made by Nongthingbam and Sanajaoba stand in stark contrast to CM Biren Singh’s official stance that the tapes were fabricated, leading to questions about the internal dynamics within the state’s leadership.
As the situation continues to unfold, there is growing apprehension about the potential for further violence in Manipur. The state’s complex ethnic landscape, combined with the power struggles among its leaders, creates a volatile environment where even minor provocations can lead to significant unrest. The handling of the leaked tapes and the government’s response will likely have far-reaching implications for the future stability of Manipur, as well as for the broader issue of communal relations in India.
