Imphal: The Meitei Alliance on Friday issued a press statement urging urgent institutional action over multiple FIRs and media-reported allegations involving political figure H S Benjamin Mate, citing concerns over public order and peace in Manipur.

The organisation said Manipur has faced prolonged violence, displacement, and deep social divisions since May 2023. It claimed that the spread of inflammatory content, misinformation, and politically charged narratives has worsened communal tensions during the crisis.

According to the statement, H S Benjamin Mate is a public figure who has actively written, spoken, and posted on the Manipur situation across social media and media platforms. The Alliance noted that his past participation in parliamentary elections places his statements in a position of wider public influence during a sensitive internal security situation.

The press release referred to a media report published by The Wire in April 2019. The report mentioned a letter allegedly written by the president of a Suspension of Operations militant group, ZRO, to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, recommending that the BJP give its Outer Manipur Lok Sabha ticket to H S Benjamin Mate.

The same report cited news accounts claiming that village heads were allegedly threatened by another SoO group, KNA, to ensure votes in his favour. The Alliance said these reports raised questions about a possible political–militant nexus.

The Meitei Alliance also listed four FIRs registered against H S Benjamin Mate at Imphal and Heingang police stations between May 2023 and May 2024. The cases involve sections related to promoting enmity between communities, spreading rumours, defamation, criminal conspiracy, and statements likely to disturb public order. Some FIRs were registered suo-motu based on social media content allegedly linked to his accounts.

While stating that all FIRs and media reports remain allegations subject to due process, the Alliance said the number of cases across different dates and police jurisdictions is a matter of serious concern. It called for a coordinated and time-bound investigation strictly in accordance with law.

In its appeal to the Government of Manipur, the Government of India, political parties, and media institutions, the Meitei Alliance demanded transparent investigation of all cases, cyber and forensic examination of digital content, strict enforcement of laws against hate speech and misinformation, and preventive steps to stop further circulation of inflammatory material.

The organisation also urged the Bharatiya Janata Party to suspend H S Benjamin Mate from its primary membership pending the outcome of investigations. It further appealed to media houses, especially India Today NE, to refrain from publishing opinion pieces by him until the legal matters are resolved.

The statement concluded that Manipur’s recovery depends on accountability, restraint, and equal application of the law, and said the press release was issued in public interest to safeguard peace and harmony in the state.

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