DESAM too says no to Sangai Fest

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 4 : The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has endorsed the resolution taken by different organi-sations to boycott the Sangai Festival.
DESAM, in a statement issued by its secretary general Nongthombam Thoi- thoiba, appealed to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to cancel the festival this year and utilise the allocated funds toward the welfare of internally displaced people (IDPs), including healthcare, education, and essential food supplies.
It said that the Sangai Festival is not a traditional or cultural festival of different communities residing in the State, but a Government-organised event which aims at promoting tourism and improving the State's economy by showcasing the art and culture, natural beauty, and hospitality of Manipur.
However, Manipur is currently under an artificial crisis, with tens of thousands of people languishing in relief camps following an onslaught by Chin-Kuki militants, and Meiteis still unable to travel safely along the National Highways, the students' organisation said and added that the Government's decision to organise a tourism festival in such a situation is surprising.
Tourists visit safe and peaceful places, not areas where there is conflict, it reasoned.
DESAM also noted that the US Government, in its travel advisory issued on June 22, had advised its citizens to refrain from visiting Manipur.
Questioning whether the Government truly intends to promote tourism through the festival or has ulterior motives, DESAM added that it views the decision to host the event as an attempt to normalise the abnormal situation in Manipur by portraying that the crisis is over and peace has prevailed.
DESAM also stated that the decision of the President's Rule Government to host the festival instead of working to resolve the crisis that has been afflicting Manipur is irresponsible.
Endorsing the resolution of internally displaced people (IDPs) and the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to boycott the Sangai Festival, DESAM appealed to the public not to support the event.