Thousands of IDPs join hands to protest against proceeding with Sangai Fest

OSR/Correspondent
TBL/IMP/BPR, Nov 20 : As announced earlier, internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge in relief camps across the five valley districts staged protest demonstrations at multiple locations against the Sangai Festival 2025, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow.
A common question raised by the IDPs at most of the protest sites was whether hosting a festival is more important than addressing their plights.
Protesters at the Langol Game Village relief camp displayed placards bearing strong messages, including "Give us the right to live". "Let's discuss tourism later", "Inappropriate time for Sangai Festival", "Free movement and resettlement first, Sangai Festival next", "We don't want Sangai Festival" and "IDPs boycott Sangai Festival" among others.
Speaking to the media, Moirangthem Asharani, a resident of Moreh and an IDP, clarified that displaced persons have no intention of preventing the Government from promoting tourism.
However, priority must first be given to resettling them safely in their native places before proceeding with events like the Sangai Festival, she said.
She also stated that the IDPs are fully aware that their opposition to the Sangai Festival will not lead to their immediate resettlement.
It is unfortunate that the Government is prioritising a tourism event over the rehabilitation needs of thousands of displaced people, the IDP added.
She accused the President's Rule administration of being indifferent to the immense suffering endured by IDPs.
Acknowledging that people have supported the IDPs in whatever ways they could since the crisis began, she appealed to the public to extend that solidarity by supporting the boycott of the Sangai Festival.
A similar protest demonstration was also staged at Lamboikhongnangkhong relief camp.
Kh Nabachanda, an IDP from Kalapahar in Kangpokpi district, stated that many displaced persons are forced to live in unimaginable conditions and they take up any available work including washing dishes just to make ends meet.
It would be a grave mistake to assume the ethnic crisis in Manipur is over simply because attacks by Kuki militants on Meitei settlements in the foothill areas have temporarily ceased, he said
It’s not only about the Sangai Festival, he said and continued that festivals and celebrations have been organised across the State as if everything were normal.
Even people who remain unaffected by the conflict have been holding lavish weddings, flaunting extravagant items such as gold kundo pareng, while thousands of displaced persons continue to suffer in relief camps, the IDP added.
Nabachandra further stated that it is deeply unfortunate that the Government appears to be looking down on the IDPs - people who once lived peacefully in every nook and corner of Manipur as if their suffering and displacement no longer matter.
Saying that people are still unable to move freely across the State, he urged the Government to resolve the crisis in Manipur first before organising any festival.
No IDP will attend the Sangai Festival, he declared.
Apex Committee of Victim Villagers Awang Imphal East organised a similar sit-in protest at Sajiwa relief camp.
Koijam Sarat, convenor of the organising committee, alleged that the President's Rule administration decided to push ahead with the Sangai Festival solely to create a false impression that the situation in Manipur has improved.
Meiteis are still confined to the valley districts like fish trapped in a pot, he said and urged the President's Rule administration to prioritize the safe resettlement of IDPs and the resolution of the ongoing ethnic crisis before proceeding with any celebratory events.
The women's wing of Eastern Students' Club Nongmeibung also staged a sit-in protest at its community hall.
Like in other parts of the valley districts, protests were staged in Thoubal and Bishnupur district too.
A large number of people gathered at Thoubal Keithel, where they staged a demonstration, shouted slogans, and blocked one side of the National Highway.
The protest was organised by the women's wing of Salai Kanba Lup (SKL).
The demonstrators argued that Manipur is not in a position to host any festivities, as  movement along highways remains restricted.
They described it as unfortunate that the administration under President's Rule is pushing ahead with the festival despite strong opposition from civil society organisations and IDPs.
Separately, IDPs held sit-in protests at several relief camps in Thoubal district, including Wangjing Kodompokpi Sports Complex, Lamding Model High School, and Rice Research Centre.
In Bishnupur district, sit-in protests were organised at multiple locations, including Kwakta Sericulture Training Institute, Thamnapokpi Keipha Keithel, Takmu Water Sports Complex, Moirang College, Thanga Chandpur Mandap, and Kumbi Wangoo Sabal Leishemba Shanglen.
The demonstrators echoed the same demands being raised across the valley such as a boycott of the Sangai Festival, restoration of free movement along highways, and prioritisation of the safe resettlement of thousands of IDPs before any celebratory events are held.