Meitei Alliance demands probe into alleged political-militant nexus in Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 06 2026: The Meitei Alliance has urged swift investigations into local political figure HS Benjamin Mate over allegations of links to militant groups, citing FIRs and media reports that it says are stoking Manipur's ethnic violence since May 2023 .

In a press release issued on Thursday, the alliance compiled public records accusing Mate - a vocal commentator on the crisis of ties to Suspension of Operations (SoO) militants.

Key Allegations

A 2019 report by The Wire is cited, which described a letter allegedly from the president of the SoO militant group ZRO to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, recommending Mate for a BJP Lok Sabha ticket for Outer Manipur.

The same report referenced contemporaneous news accounts claiming another SoO group, KNA, allegedly threatened village heads to ensure a high percentage of votes for Mate, with threats of punitive action for non-compliance.

FIRs Against Mate

FIR 436(5)2023 (Imphal PS, May 14, 2023): Circulating false info on Facebook to incite violence and enmity.

FIR 613(07)2023 (Imphal PS, July 24, 2023): Spreading rumors, defamation, and hostile statements against communities/authorities.

FIR 26(01)2024 (Imphal PS, Jan 26-27, 2024): Provocation to riot, fear-mongering, criminal conspiracy.

FIR 47(05)2024 (Heingang PS, May 24, 2024): Publishing material with Kuki Students Organisation-linked media promoting disharmony.

The Meitei Alliance demanded a time-bound investigation, coordinated cyber and forensic examination, and strict enforcement of laws against misinformation and hate speech.

"Convergence of these cases demands urgent action to uphold rule of law and restore trust", the Meitei Alliance stated.

Manipur remains tense, with over 200 deaths and thousands displaced since 2023 clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

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