- By Raju Kumar
- Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manipur Sangai Festival Row: Manipur's popular Sangai Festival landed in trouble after a large group of protesters attempted to storm the main venue of the cultural event, scheduled to begin in Imphal on Friday. The annual 10-day festival was not held for two years in 2023 and 2024 in the wake of the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
On Thursday, as per the previous announcement, the demonstrators led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of several Meitei civil society organisations of Manipur, gathered at Konung Mamang, near the main festival venue, to protest the holding of the festival. Rejecting the security forces' appeal, a large number of the COCOMI activists proceeded towards the main venue, which led chaotic situation at the site.
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Three Injured In Clash With Security Forces
The clashes that broke out between security forces and demonstrators on Thursday left least three people injured. Two others were detained by the Manipur police. The security forces resorted to lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
Why Protest Against Manipur Sangai Festival
The protesters wanted the suspension of the festival. They demanded that the state government must first resolve the ongoing conflict in the state and rehabilitate people displaced before holding the festival.
What Is Govt's Stand?
On the other side, the Manipur government on Tuesday appealed to all citizens, particularly Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), affected by ethnic violence, and all stakeholders to extend full cooperation and support to ensure the grand success of the 'Sangai Tourism Festival'.
"The Sangai Festival, scheduled from November 21 to 30, is not merely an event; it is a collective affirmation of our commitment to moving forward together and hence, your full support and participation will definitely help the state move forward," Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said in a statement.
(With IANS inputs)