Manipur: Security measures in place for Shirui Lily Festival

• 

  
  

• Final touches underway for the 5th State Shirui Lily Festival at Shirui village, Ukhrul district.

• 
  

• IMPHAL — With the 5th State Shirui Lily Festival set to kick-off in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on May 20, authorities have put in place necessary security measures from “morning to midnight” along the Imphal-Ukhrul highway to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
• 
  
• The security measures have been initiated following threat messages issued by unknown individuals and organisations targeting the Meitei community, who plan to attend the Shirui Festival, primarily through social media platforms.
• 
  
• “A criminal case has been registered at Cyber Crime PS in this regard and all out effort shall be made to arrest them,” Manipur Police wrote in a post on X.
• 
  
• It may be noted that the visitors have to cross a couple of Kuki villages to reach the multiple festival sites around Ukhrul district headquarters, located around 84 km from the state capital Imphal.
• 
  
• The Shirui Lily Festival is an annual state level festival organised by Manipur Tourism department with an objective to create awareness about the endangered Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), the state flower, and promote sustainable tourism in the region.
• 
  
• The flowering season of the lily starts from May to June.
• 
  
• This will be the first state-level festival to be held from May 20 to 24 in the state since violence erupted in May 2023.
• 
  
• Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla is scheduled to attend the inaugural function of the festival to be held at Shirui village, 15km north of Ukhrul town.

Also read: Manipur DGP reviews security preparedness for Shirui fest

Hectic preparations underway for Shirui Lily Festival 2025

• “In order to facilitate safe and efficient travel, it is advised that all visitors plan their journeys to and from Ukhrul via Yaingangpokpi between 8am to 4pm. Visitors travelling after 4pm will be escorted by security personnel,” the additional deputy commissioner of Ukhrul district stated in a public notice on Monday.
• 
  
• “Additionally, no movement of visitors will be permitted after 12 midnight, to maintain the safety and order.”
• 
  
• Visitors have been requested to adhere to the guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable festival experience, the notice added.
• 
  
• The flowering of Shirui Lily at Shirui Kashung peak, the natural habitat of the state flower, is more visible since the last two years after the Department of Environment and Climate Change undertook a conservation initiative of Shiuri Lily and its ecology since 2023 by engaging the local community.
• 
  
• Former president of Shirui Youth Club, Yaomikan Shangh, told this reporter that visibility of the lily is more this year after controlling the growth of a bamboo species at Shirui peak. The Directorate of Transport is also arranging dedicated bus services for the Shirui Lily Festival on a daily basis from May 20 to 25. The buses will start from 7 am, 7.30 am and 8.15 am daily from Imphal.