New Delhi: Ten Kuki MLAs from Manipur have accused the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, of “misleading” the Supreme Court by claiming that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has been meeting with Kuki MLAs to restore peace in the violence-torn state.
In a statement released on Monday, the MLAs categorically denied any such meetings since May 3, 2023, and declared their unwillingness to engage with Singh in the future, accusing him of being “the mastermind behind the violence and ethnic cleansing of our people.”
“We, the undersigned ten MLAs, have come to know that during the Supreme Court hearing held on November 8, 2024, the Solicitor General of India submitted that “CM is meeting all Kuki MLAs and trying to bring the situation down to get peace.” In this connection, we hereby categorically state that this submission is a blatant lie and tantamount to misleading the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the MLAs wrote in their statement.
The MLAs allege that Mehta’s false statement to the Supreme Court was an attempt to derail an investigation into leaked tapes alleging Singh’s complicity in the violence that erupted between Kukis and Meiteis.
They further condemn the recent killing of a Kuki woman, Zosangkim Hmar, on November 7th, 2024, highlighting the continued violence and ethnic cleansing in the state.
“We further clarify that we have never had any meeting with Chief Minister, Shri N. Biren Singh since May 3, 2023, nor have any intention to meet him in future as he is the mastermind behind the violence and ethnic cleansing of our people from the Imphal valley, which is continuing till today, the latest being the brutal killing and burning of Mrs. Zosangkim Hmar on November 7, 2024,” the statement reads.
The MLAs strongly criticise Mehta’s conduct, accusing him of unprofessionalism and failing to verify the accuracy of his claims before presenting them to the Supreme Court.
“We strongly condemn the barbaric killing of a defenseless woman by the Meitei militias in spite of heavy deployment of Security Forces in Jiribam district. We also condemn the Solicitor General’s unprofessional conduct of submitting arguments before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, without cross-checking the facts.
The Supreme Court on Friday had agreed to hear the matter,” it reads further.
This accusation has further escalated the tension surrounding the Manipur violence and the ongoing efforts to establish peace in the state. The Supreme Court, taking cognizance of the matter, had agreed to hear the case on Friday.
