Internally Displaced Persons announce sit-in against Manipur Sangai Festival

IMPHAL — Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), currently taking shelter at different relief camps in the valley districts of Manipur, on Monday announced that they will stage a sit-in against the 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival, beginning November 21.

L Brojen, secretary of Meetei Council Moreh and a representative of IDPs, informed reporters near Imphal on Monday afternoon that they will organise a mass sit-in protest against the Sangai Festival at the relief camps on November 20, stating that the festival's timing is untimely.

Naba Ningthoujam, another IDP and co-convenor of Churachandpur Meetei United Committee, echoed similar sentiments during a press briefing at a relief camp, suggesting that the festival be organised after IDPs are resettled and highways are safe for movement.

Naba claimed that despite authorities' assurances of phased resettlement before December, no concrete steps have been taken, and appealed to the public to support the IDPs in boycotting the Sangai Festival until their resettlement is complete.

The Manipur Sangai Festival, an annual event promoting tourism, is scheduled from November 21 to the 30th, named after the endangered Sangai deer found only in the state.

Preparations are underway at Hafta Kangjeibung, Imphal, after a two-year gap due to ethnic violence. Security has been stepped up with state and central forces deployed at strategic locations.

Several civil society organisations and students' bodies have boycotted the festival, citing the state's ongoing unrest and sufferings, and questioning the timing of the event.