Manipur’s 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs have issued a joint statement denying as a “blatant lie” the Centre’s recent submission in the Supreme Court that chief minister N. Biren Singh had met them to try and restore peace in the strife-torn state.

In a three-paragraph statement issued on Sunday, the 10 MLAs — six of whom are from the ruling BJP — “categorically” denied having met Biren since the outbreak of the conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos on May 3 last year.

“Nor (do we) have any intention of meeting him in future because he is the mastermind behind the violence and ethnic cleansing of our people from the Imphal Valley, which is continuing till today...,” the statement said.

Bodies of militants killed in Manipur.

On Monday, 10 suspected Kuki-Zo militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jiribam district. The continuing ethnic conflict has killed 251 people and displaced more than 60,000.

The 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs have stayed away from Imphal, because of security concerns, since the violence began.

Arms.

“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’,” the statement said.

“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.”

Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta is reported to have made the submission orally during the hearing of a Kuki-Zo organisation’s petition that seeks an investigation into audio recordings, purportedly featuring the chief minister, that allegedly “indicate” he had a hand in the conflict.

The state government had in August dismissed the audio clips, alleging they had been doctored. The apex court has asked the Kuki organisation to substantiate its claim.

Sunday’s statement also condemned the “killing and burning” of a “defenceless (Hmar) woman by the Meitei militias in spite of heavydeployment of securityforces in Jiribam district (on November 7)”.

“We also condemn the Solicitor General’s unprofessional conduct of submitting arguments before the Supreme Court, without cross-checking the facts,” it said.

One of the Kuki-Zo MLAs confirmed the issuance ofthe joint statement. A state BJP leader from Imphal said the statement “once again proves that they are against peace”.

In August, Kuki-Zo community members had staged multiple rallies in Manipur and at Jantar Mantar in Delhi highlighting the audiotapes that purportedly feature the chief minister.