IDPs continue protest against Sangai Fest

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 23 : Internally displaced persons (IDPs) taking refuge at the Manipur Trade and Expo Centre relief camp at Lamboikhongnangkhong took a protest march today against the holding of the Manipur Sangai Festival.
Carrying banners and placards denouncing the festival, the protesters started their demonstration from the relief camp and proceeded towards Shamusang.
However, the protesters were stopped near the Uripok-Kangchup Road junction by a team from Lamphel Police and prevented from marching further towards Naoremthong.
After heated arguments with the police, the IDPs were allowed to continue their march towards Shamusang.
They raised slogans such as "Free movement first, Sangai Festival later," "Resettlement first, festival later," and other similar demands.
The IDPs asserted that holding the Sangai Festival at this time is inappropriate and insensitive.
At Shamusang, security forces again halted the protesters and compelled them to turn back.
The demonstrators were then escorted by police and security personnel back to their relief camp.
No untoward incident was reported during the entire protest.
Likewise IDPs staying at the relief camp at Khurkhul Mandap Yumpham formed human-chain and condemned the President's Rule administration for organising the Manipur Sangai Festival.
The IDPs include people displaced from Churachandpur, Kangchup, Leimakhong, Sapermeina.
During the protest demonstration, the IDPs raised slogans criticising the administration for ignoring the plight of the displaced people and organising the Sangai Festival when they are suffering.
They urged the PR administration to keep its promise and ensure return and rehabilitation of IDPs to their respective homes and villages.
The IDPs urged the Centre to form a popular Government in Manipur at the earliest.
On the other hand, people in different pockets of Imphal organised Meira rallies against the Government organising the Manipur Sangai Festival today.
Meira rallies were organised at Wangkhei, Khurai and Lamphel.
The protesters held placards and raised slogans. They urged the Government to prioritise peace before the festival, and called for return and rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons to their original homes and villages.