Negligible footfalls : Children's Disneyland Show pulled down

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 23: Due to extremely low visitor turnout, the company from outside Manipur tasked with setting up the “Children’s Disneyland Show” at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex (near the Cycle Velodrome) as part of the Sangai Festival has begun dismantling the infrastructure.
The dismantling work started last night and continued till evening today.
Although no official reason has been provided, sources said the decision was taken because of negligible footfall at the amusement site.
No clarification has yet been issued by the Government on the matter.
Reports indicate that authorities have, however, prevented other event organisers from removing their infrastructure despite similar poor attendance.
When The Sangai Express visited Khuman Lampak on the third day of the festival, only a handful of visitors, mostly non-Manipuris, were seen at the venue.
Victory for collective stand of people : COCOMI
As reports of the Manipur Sangai Festival drawing little crowds emerged, the Coordinating  Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has termed it a victory of the collective people.
The Sangai Festival was organised by the Governor's administration ignoring opposition from the public, and is failing, said COCOMI in a statement issued by its convenor, Khuraijam Athouba today.
The Sangai Festival failing now is a victory for the collective stand of the people and a defeat of the President's Rule administration under the Governor, it said.
COCOMI said the festival is failing because the plight of the people was ignored by the Governor's administration and the Government of India
The public was not invited and taken into confidence and their grievances were not heard. As a result, the festival which was launched forcibly is now failing, it added. Since May 3, 2023, people have suffered and their rights have been ignored by the Government of India, it said.
The unity that has been displayed at this juncture in opposing the festival has served as an opportunity to propel the people's movement on the right path. When people are united as they are now, every issue can be faced, COCOMI said.
Appealing for continuous support, it urged people to remain united and complete the boycott of the festival.
It urged Meira Paibis and locals in every locality to stage protest demonstrations and call on the people to refrain from participating in the festival till November 30.
It appealed to the people to organise sit-in protests and Meira rallies. Its members and representatives will attend the protest demonstration and sensitise people on the issue, COCOMI said.
Before celebrating any form of festival, the rights of the people of the State must be respected and internally displaced persons must be allowed to return to their original homes and villages, COCOMI asserted.