Imphal: The Zomi Students’ Federation, a Churachandpur-based student body, lodged an FIR against Jayenta Loukrakpam, also known as Tapta, a popular Manipuri singer, for his controversial song that calls for the genocide of the Kukis.
The first information report (FIR), which was filed by one Nengzalian Tonsing, a member of the Federation, addressed to the Officer-in-Charge of Churachandpur Police Station on 13 July 2023, accused Tapta of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religions, race, place of birth, residence and language.
It further claims that his actions are prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony and that his statements are defamatory and promote feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill-will against members of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST).
The controversy arises amidst the backdrop of ethnic violence that has plagued the state since May 3.
Tapta released the contentious song on July 7. One of the striking lines in the song states, “Meiteis will never have peace until every Kuki is killed.”
Tapta gained prominence in the music scene of Manipur with his powerful debut album titled ‘Power of Attraction’. Over the years, he has garnered a substantial following across all communities in Manipur, earning him a dedicated fan base.
Interestingly, the Home Department of the Manipur government last month asked the Director General of Police to file an FIR against the Zomi Students’ Federation for publishing a book titled “The Inevitable Split – Documents on State-sponsored ethnic cleansing in Manipur, 2023”, and take stern action against the publishers and to ban the book.
The state’s Home Commissioner T. Ranjit Singh in a “most urgent letter” to Director General of Police Rajiv Singh requested to take stern actions against the person/persons of the Federation who published the book “The Inevitable Split – Documents on State-sponsored ethnic cleansing in Manipur, 2023,” and banning the book’s further publication.
