Kuki rights body alleges Manipur Police sent ‘truncated’ audio for forensic tests
Seeks court-monitored probe into ‘Manipur tapes’
New Delhi: The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights (KOHUR) has reiterated its demand for a court-monitored investigation into the alleged “Manipur tapes”, claiming that the Manipur Police submitted only heavily-edited portions of the controversial audio for forensic analysis instead of the full 48-minute-46-second recording. The allegation has been made in an affidavit sworn on November 20, The Wire reported.
KOHUR told the Supreme Court that the shortened clips sent to forensic laboratories — four files of 30 seconds, 36 seconds, 1 minute 28 seconds and 1 minute 47 seconds — amounted to “selective transmission of material”, raising concerns about the fairness and intent of the state police. The organisation argued that withholding the full recording prevented experts from verifying its authenticity, resulting in inconclusive forensic findings.
The case relates to audio clips purportedly featuring Manipur chief minister Biren Singh, in which he allegedly discusses matters linked to the state’s ethnic violence of 2023, including “looting of arms”, the “use of bombs”, and instructions to the police.
According to KOHUR, despite the Supreme Court expressing dissatisfaction with a May 5, 2025 report by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) — after which the court ordered a fresh examination — neither the CFSL nor the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, could conclusively confirm whether the voice in the clips matched that of the chief minister. The NFSU reportedly found signs of editing and manipulation and declared the files unsuitable for reliable comparison.
KOHUR has contrasted these findings with a separate analysis conducted by Truth Labs, a private forensic agency that examined the complete 48-minute recording along with several voice samples available publicly. Truth Labs reportedly concluded that there was a 93% probability of the voice being that of Biren Singh.
The rights group has alleged that the inconclusive results from government forensic agencies were a direct consequence of the Manipur Police providing only edited and partial material. It argued that this should not prevent the police from setting a criminal investigation in motion.
“The lack of firm forensic conclusions cannot, by itself, be treated as a ground to stifle investigation at the threshold,” KOHUR said, urging the Supreme Court to appoint a court-monitored special investigation team. It added that an FIR must be registered based on the full audio and the Truth Labs report so that “the truth may emerge through a fair, independent and comprehensive investigation.”
The matter is pending before the Supreme Court.
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Nicobar Tribal Council Alleges FRA Violations in Great Nicobar Wildlife Sanctuaries
Sri Vijaypuram (Port Blair): The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar has alleged fresh violations of the Forest Rights Act in the notification of three wildlife sanctuaries linked to the Centre’s ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project, even as the Calcutta High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the mega project over similar concerns next month.
The Union government had, in October 2022, notified three wildlife sanctuaries in parts of Little Nicobar Island, Menchal Island and Meroe Island for the conservation of leatherback turtles, megapodes and coral ecosystems. The move came after the government acknowledged that the proposed infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island would affect coral colonies and nesting habitats of endangered species.
However, the tribal council has maintained that the sanctuaries were declared without consultation with the Nicobarese communities who traditionally inhabit and manage these islands.
In a letter dated April 23 addressed to the Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Nicobar Forest Division, the council reiterated its opposition to the sanctuaries and objected to the formation of a committee to determine eco-sensitive zones around the protected areas.
The council said its chairman had not been consulted before being included in the committee and was informed of his membership only a month after the committee was constituted.
The three notified sanctuaries include the Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary in parts of Little Nicobar Island, the Megapode Sanctuary covering the entire Menchal Island and the Coral Sanctuary spanning the whole of Meroe Island.
According to the council, Menchal and Meroe islands hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Nicobarese community, which believes the islands are inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors.
The council demanded that the sanctuary notifications be revoked and the eco-sensitive zone committee dissolved, alleging that both decisions were taken against the wishes of the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh has written to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act in the process of obtaining consent for diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project.
Ramesh argued that consent should have been obtained through the Tribal Council representing the Nicobarese communities instead of through Gram Sabhas representing settler families. He also questioned how the government-controlled Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti could provide consent on behalf of the Shompen community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
He urged the Tribal Affairs Ministry to intervene and seek withdrawal of clearances granted for the project under the Forest Rights Act.
Earlier, Ramesh had also written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav alleging that environmental impact studies for the project were conducted in haste and without the detailed seasonal assessments mandated under environmental laws.
The dispute dates back to 2022 when the Andaman and Nicobar administration initiated the process for notifying the three sanctuaries before holding Special Gram Sabhas for diversion of forest land linked to the Great Nicobar project.
In May that year, the administration invited objections and claims regarding the proposed sanctuaries. Subsequently, on July 19, the Nicobar Deputy Commissioner certified that no objections or claims had been received.
The tribal council later wrote to the district administration stating that the notification process was carried out without ensuring that residents of Little Nicobar Island were informed as required by law. It alleged that no public announcements seeking objections were made in villages such as Bahua, Muhincoihn and Kiyang, whose residents traditionally use and manage parts of the notified areas.
The council said the Nicobarese community had protected the islands and wildlife for generations through customary practices and traditional belief systems.
It further argued that the sanctuaries would interfere with long-standing rights over forests and coastal areas. They noted that these areas are used for rituals, plantations, collection of forest produce, construction of huts and canoes, harvesting medicinal plants and worship.
In November 2024, the council objected to draft Island Coastal Regulation Zone plans, demanding basic infrastructure, instead of proposed eco-tourism activities in the sanctuaries. The council demanded better public restrooms, jetties, water facilities, pathways, and mobile connectivity.
The Nicobar administration issued a clarification in May 2025, stating that the sanctuaries would not affect hunting rights available to Scheduled Tribes in the Nicobar Islands. The council, however, rejected the clarification, stating that their dependence on forests and coasts extended far beyond hunting activities.
Earlier this month, a Bench led by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the Union government against petitions challenging the diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project. The matter has now been listed for final hearing in June.
