Manipur: Displaced persons stage mass protest against Sangai Festival

Guwahati: Displaced families taking shelter in relief camps across Manipur’s valley districts staged a joint mass sit-in on Thursday, opposing the state government’s decision to organise the Sangai Festival despite the continuing humanitarian crisis.

A woman staying at the Lamboikhongnang Khong Relief Camp told reporters that it was extremely distressing to see the government, now under President’s Rule, moving ahead with festival preparations while thousands of citizens continued to live in temporary shelters.

She questioned the administration’s priorities, asking why it was planning celebrations when camp residents still lacked resettlement and unrestricted movement.

“Are we not citizens of Manipur? Why is our resettlement being ignored?” she said.

She also appealed to the public to refrain from participating in this year’s festival, arguing that collective action could compel the authorities to listen.

“The government may have power, but people’s voices are stronger. We should celebrate the Sangai Festival only when peace returns completely,” she added.

Protestors displayed placards with messages that read “Free Movement First, Then Sangai Festival”, “We Boycott Sangai Festival”, and “First Resettlement, Then Celebration”, urging the authorities to focus on rehabilitation instead of festivities.

The Sangai Festival is set to open tomorrow and will run until November 30. This year’s edition comes after a two-year pause caused by the ongoing conflict.